Navy nabs five suspected smugglers

The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has nabbed five suspected smugglers and seized 370 bags of contraband rice.

The Navy Commanding Officer(FOB) in Ibaka, Captain Toritseju Vincent, who handed over the suspects and bags of 50kg rice to the Nigeria Customs Service, said the Navy has impounded illegally smuggled rice in its drive to fulfil its anti-smuggling patrol functions.

“Our continuing drive and one of our major functions in the Nigerian Navy is anti-smuggling patrols, and with our cooperation with the Nigeria Customs Service, we have consistently made arrests of illegal smuggling of rice from Cameroon into Nigeria.

“So an arrest was made on Monday, August 12, of these five suspects with a large wooden boat conveying 370 bags of rice. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Customs for the continuous and unwavering support to curb this menace.

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“On behalf of the Flag Officer Commanding the Eastern Naval Command, I hereby hand over these 370 bags of the illicitly smuggled rice to the Nigeria Customs Service,” he said.

Receiving the suspects and seized rice from the Navy, Chief Superintendent of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Akwa Ibom State, Olutola John, hailed the Navy for supporting them in the discharge of their duties.

He promised that the Customs would continue to support the Navy in the drive to end smuggling on the water ways and assured that upon the completion of investigations, the suspects would be arraigned.

He said: “I, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Olutola John, on behalf of Area Controller, Eastern Marine Command, Port Harcourt hereby thank the Nigerian Navy for complementing the effort of Nigeria Customs in this command in doing its legal business activities in this area.

“I want to seize this medium as well that our full cooperation with the sister security agency will always be there to end the illegal business activity and influx of smuggling into the country.”