Navy intercepts, hands over 470 bags of rice and seven suspects to customs

The Forward Operating Base (FOB) of the Nigerian Navy (NN) in Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom state has handed over seven suspected smugglers to the Eastern Marine Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tuesday.

The Navy also handed over 470 bags of contraband rice on two different arrests.

Five of the seven suspects and their wooden boat were said to be intercepted by operatives of the Navy on routine patrol and 308 bags of 50kg rice found with them, while the two suspects were intercepted with 162 bags of 50kg rice, said to be brought in from the Republic of Cameroon.

Speaking during the handing over of the suspects, and recovered items to the Nigeria Customs Service in Ibaka, Akwa Ibom State yesterday, the Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Toritseju Vincent, said the Navy is committed to rid the area of illegal activities on the water ways.

He said, “On behalf of the Commanding Officer of Eastern Naval Command, I hand over these five suspects who were arrested on the 22nd of April 2019, with 308 bags of smuggled rice which we suspect were smuggled in from Cameroon

“I also hand over a medium sized wooden boat laden with 162 bags of rice arrested near Mbo river by Oron, Calabar channel to the Nigeria Customs Service.

“The wooden boat along with its two crew was arrested at 0730 on Sunday, 21 April 2019 during a routine patrol by the Navy gunboats,” he said.

Taking delivery of the suspects and bags of rice from the Navy, the Zonal Coordinator, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Assistant Comptroller, Kolade Iloyode said “Your actions have demonstrated your commitment to the Nigerian nation and the security of our water ways.

He commended the Navy for the support, adding that the NCS would work hard on land to curb smuggling activities.

Represented by Kabir Ogah, Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Comptroller General of Customs Strike Force (CGC), Zone C, Akwa Ibom State, said, “On behalf of the Zonal Commander, Assistant Comptroller, Kolade Iloyode, and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in general, we wish to commend all your efforts in combating smuggling in our water ways.”

“This will encourage us on the land to do more and we commemorate the efforts you have been putting up for us. We thank you so much and we also urge you to continue with the good work for nation building”.

One of the suspects, Emmanuel Bassey from Udung Uko local government area, Akwa Ibom State, said though he regreted his involvement in smuggling the contraband rice, he was compelled into the business just to survive.

Bassey who was manning one of the seized wooden boats said he sawed wood in Cameroon for two years but had to return back home because he was harassed by hoodlums while plying his trade in Cameroon.

“I went to Cameroon to bring rice back to Nigeria but on my way back, I was arrested by the Navy. I used to saw wood before now; this is my first time in this trade.

” I was promised N5,000 but now, I regret my involvement in smuggling and promise not to do it again,” he said.