Navy nabs suspected rice smugglers, seizes boats

The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has arrested 12 suspected rice smugglers and impounded two wooden boats, two fibre boats, four outboard engines and four pumping machines.

The suspects were arrested in four different operations between May 1 and 3, 2019. The naval operatives also seized 742 bags of contraband rice from them.

It was gathered that five suspects with 339 bags of 50kg rice were arrested in the first operation, while another five with 301 bags of 50kg rice were apprehended in the second operation.
Only one suspect each was arrested in the third and fourth operations with 41 and 43 bags of 50kg rice respectively.

The Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Toritseju Vincent, while handing over the suspects and the items to the Nigeria Customs Service, on Saturday, said Navy was committed to the task of protecting Nigeria’s waterways from illegal trading.

He said, “On behalf of the Flag Officer, Eastern Naval Command, I am handing over these five suspects, who were apprehended on Wednesday, May 1, in the early hours of the day with 339 bags of rice, one big wooden boat, two outboard engines and two pumping machines.

“Likewise, five suspects were arrested on May 3 around 7am within Akpan Platform axis; they had 301 bags of rice in their wooden boat, two outboard engines, and two pumping machines.
“We are handing over the suspects, the contraband goods and the boats to the Nigeria Customs Service alongside the two suspects, 84 bags of contraband rice and two fibre boats.

“I will like to thank you for your support in the past few weeks; it has been a continuing operation. We will continue to do our best in the country’s waterways and, believe that we will always have your unconditional support in carrying out our constitutional roles as assigned to both services.”
The Controller, Eastern Marine Command, Nigeria Customs Service, Port Harcourt, Elton Edorhe, thanked the Nigerian Navy for its efforts in ensuring that the country’s waterways were free of illegal activities, and appealed to the smugglers to desist from the act as it was detrimental to the nation’s economy.

“I thank the Nigerian Navy for this wonderful effort. We will like to reiterate to those people, who are in this business, to desist because it is ruining our economy. The earlier they hearken to this appeal, the better it will be for all of us,” he stated.

Two of the suspects, Mr Edet Okon and his nephew, Raphael Edem, denied being part of the smuggling. They said they were only passengers on the boat returning to Nigeria to see a sister, who was in the hospital when the boat they were travelling in, was impounded.

Raphael said, “I have been living in Cameroon with my uncle for the past three years. When my uncle told me my mum was sick, I boarded the boat to Nigeria but I did not know the boat was carrying the contraband rice; I don’t know any of the people in the boat with me except my uncle, who I came with.”

Okon said, “I don’t know what is happening here. I boarded a boat in Cameroon to come and visit my sick sister, and then I saw myself here. I don’t know the boat was carrying the contraband rice because I was in a rush to come down here. I have been in Cameroon for over three years.”