The Nigeria Navy Forward
Operating Base (FOB) at Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom has
arrested 24 suspects and seized 1,831 bags of smuggled rice.
Operating Base (FOB) at Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom has
arrested 24 suspects and seized 1,831 bags of smuggled rice.
Capt. Peter Yilme, the Commanding
Officer of the FOB, disclosed this to newsmen at Ibaka on Sunday.
Officer of the FOB, disclosed this to newsmen at Ibaka on Sunday.
Yilme said that five wooden boats
used in smuggling the rice from the Republic of Cameroon, were also seized.
used in smuggling the rice from the Republic of Cameroon, were also seized.
He said that the arrests were
made during routine operations by operatives in the last one month.
made during routine operations by operatives in the last one month.
Yilme was represented by the base
Operations Officer, Lt.-Cdr. Kabiru Yusuf, during the handing over of the
suspects and items to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Operations Officer, Lt.-Cdr. Kabiru Yusuf, during the handing over of the
suspects and items to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
He said that the command would
remain steadfast in fighting criminals on the Nigeria territorial waters in
line with the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff.
remain steadfast in fighting criminals on the Nigeria territorial waters in
line with the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
reports that Mr Dauda Garuba, an officer of the NCS, received the suspects and
items from the navy.
reports that Mr Dauda Garuba, an officer of the NCS, received the suspects and
items from the navy.
Two of the suspects claimed that
they were not told that they were to carry rice from Cameroon to Nigeria.
they were not told that they were to carry rice from Cameroon to Nigeria.
One of them claimed that he was
told that he was going to convey fish.
told that he was going to convey fish.
He said that it was when the rice
was loaded into the boat that he realised that he would not be conveying fish
as told. (NAN)
was loaded into the boat that he realised that he would not be conveying fish
as told. (NAN)
