Operatives of the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, in the Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have arrested six suspected smugglers and seized 256 bags of 50kg rice from them.
It was gathered that one medium-sized wooden boat was recovered from the suspects during the arrest.
The Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Peter Yilme, while handing over the suspects and the seized items to the Nigeria Custom Service, said the navy was determined to end smuggling on the waterways and warned smugglers to desist from the act or be arrested.
Yilme, who was represented by the Base Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Kabiru Yusuf, stated that the navy would intensify the patrol of the riverside and land areas to ensure that illegal trade on the waterways was brought to an end.
He added that the navy was committed to the fight against smuggling.
Yilme stated, “I hereby hand over one medium-sized wooden boat laden with 256 bags of rice, along with its six crew members, to the Nigeria Customs Service.
“The base will not relent in curbing smuggling as well as other illegal activities by criminal elements on the waterways or inland.
“As they continue to device new means of smuggling rice, the FOB Ibaka will also intensify riverside and land patrols to ensure that smuggling is stopped within its area of operation.”
Receiving the suspects and the bags of rice, the Deputy Superintendent, NCS, Alabi Adedokun, commended the navy for the cooperation existing between the two agencies and for the frequent arrest of smugglers.
“On behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service, I, Alabi Adedokun, take over the six suspects and 256 bags of foreign parboiled rice. We are grateful to the navy for the arrest,” he added.
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