Navy recovers 1,706 bags of smuggled rice, arrests 12

11 Nigerians and one Cameroonian have been arrested by the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, for smuggling 1,706 bags of rice into Nigeria.

Also impounded were a 58-feet long wooden boat, three 40 horsepower outboard engines, and two pumping machines.

Captain Yusuf Idris the Commanding Officer of the FOB, , while handing over the suspects and the smuggled rice to the Nigeria Customs Service over the weekend, stated that the Nigerian Navy would not relent in its efforts to tackle all forms of maritime illegalities.

He assured those involved in legitimate maritime business of the navy’s support at all times.

Idris warns, “The Nigerian Navy high command frowns on illegalities and that is why we are equipped and provided with the necessary logistics required to stop this illegal business. We have arrested so many; we have confiscated hundreds of thousands of bags of rice, and that is exactly the amount these illegal businesses rob the Nigerian state of.

“I will continue to sound a note of warning to our brothers and sisters engaging in these illegalities, whether smuggling, illegal bunkering or any other maritime offence. Under our watch and the navy’s high command on board now, these illegalities, wherever they are in this maritime environment, will be arrested; the items confiscated and the arrested suspects are handed over to the relevant agencies for prosecution and conviction.

“We encourage our brothers who engage themselves in legal trades on the water to continue; we assure them that we will continue to support them to ensure that their legitimate businesses thrive.

“I, therefore, hand over the suspects to Mr Goni Babagana, who represents the National Coordinator, Controller General of Customs Strike Force based here in Akwa Ibom.”

Babagana, a deputy superintendent of Customs, while receiving the items, said he was mandated by the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service to take over the items and suspects from the FOB, Nigerian Navy, Ibaka