The Nigerian Navy says it has recovered bags of Indian hemp, cocaine, and various dangerous weapons at the Marine Beach, Apapa in Lagos.
The spokesman, Western Naval Command, Apapa, Lt.-Cmdr. Jerry Omodara, in a statement, said the raid was carried out on Saturday, following security reports.
"In an effort to sanitise criminal activities around Marine Beach, Apapa, the Nigerian Navy carried out an early hour raid on Leventis Road, Dockyard Road, and rail crossing," he said.
Omodara said the raid was the second in the last three weeks, following an intelligence report that criminal activities were taking place in the area, especially at night.
"The area was used for prostitution, gambling, joint for Indian hemp smokers and sales spot for cocaine; the place is also a takeoff point for armed robbers," he said.
He added that some people had built illegal structures in the area, while abandoned trucks and kiosks had been converted to living quarters.
"The Nigerian Navy on March 11, 2012, raided the place and suspected drug peddlers were arrested and handed over to National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
"Only on Monday 17 April 2012, 20 arrested criminals in the area were again handed over to the Nigeria Police, Area B Command, Apapa," he said.
Omodara added the raid on Saturday was carried out in conjunction with the Apapa Local Government Waste Management and Environmental Service Department.
He, however, added that two of the agency's staff members were attacked and injured by hoodlums, while their windscreen of their vehicle was smashed during the raid.
The Punch
Nigeria is becoming more porous by day