Navy Arrests 256 Bags of Smuggled Rice On Waterways

The Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy in Ibaka,  Akwa Ibom, Capt. Peter Yilme confirmed Tuesday, the arrest of six suspected smugglers and seizure of 256 bags of 50kg rice.

Capt. Peter Yilme indicated this, while handing over the suspects and items to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) at Ibaka, Mbo LGA of Akwa Ibom.

Yilme who was represented by the Base Operations Officer, Lt. Cdr. Kabiru Yusuf, highlighted that the navy also seized a medium-sized wooden boat from the suspected smugglers.

He said the navy was determined to end smuggling on waterways, and warned smugglers to desist from the act or be arrested, stressing that the FOB would intensify riverine and land patrols to ensure an end to illegal trade on the waterways.

“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 and other illegal activities by criminal elements on waterways or inland.

“As they continue to devise new means of smuggling rice, FOB, Ibaka, will also intensify riverine and land patrols to ensure that illegal smuggling is stopped within its area of operation,” he said.

Receiving the suspects and items, a Deputy Superintendent of Nigeria Customs Service, Alabi Adedokun, hailed the navy for cooperation.

He said: “On behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service, I, Alabi Adedokun, take over the six defendants and 256 bags of foreign parboiled rice”, he said, expressing the sincere appreciation of the Service.