By Bassey Anthony, Uyo
Naval operatives attached to the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, have arrested five suspected rice smugglers.
About 516 bags of contraband rice were seized from the suspects.
Commanding Officer Capt. Peter Yilme, who addressed reporters yesterday, said the rice is suspected to have come from Cameroon.
He hinted that on January 18, around Unyenge creek, 356 bags of rice and a medium wooden boat was seized, but the suspects jumped overboard on sighting the Navy patrol boats.
Yilme added that on January 19, about 01:55 hours, five suspects were arrested and 160 bags of rice with one medium sized wooden boat were seized by FOB’s patrol team around Parrot Island.
While handing the suspects and goods to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Yilme said though the smugglers have become more daring, FOB will not relent until illegal activities stop on the water ways.
He praised the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas, and the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral David Adeniran, for their encouragement, support and the approval of materials for the base.
Yilme said: “I, Captain Peter Yilme, Commanding Officer, FOB, Ibaka, hereby hand over five suspects and 516 bags of rice to the Nigeria Customs Service. The smugglers are becoming more daring in their illicit activities; however, FOB Ibaka will not relent on her patrolling efforts to rid her area of nefarious crimes.
“This is indicated by the fact that within the last three months, the base has recorded 30 major arrests. I appreciate the Chief of Naval Staff for providing the necessary platforms and logistics support to the base, and Flag Officer commanding the Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral David Adeniran for approving requirements of the base in support of her operations.”
Assistant Superintendent of the NCS Ali Garko received the suspects and items from Yilme.
Read ALSO: Navy arrests six ‘rice smugglers’
One of the suspects, Sunday Asuquo, from Oron Local Government Area, said he was arrested while bringing rice from Bakassi to Oron.
Eyo, who is a motorcyclist, said his motorcycle was bad and since he had no money to repair it, he took the offer to transport the rice.
He said: “I was bringing rice from Bakassi to Oron when I was arrested. This is my first time; I am a motorcyclist but my bike had an accident and I didn’t have money to repair it.
“The money I had, I used to bury my brother, and after that I did not have money again. The owner of the rice promised to pay me N6,000”.
Another suspect, Ezekiel Williams from Oron said he was carrying rice from Ataobong to Udung Uko when he was arrested. He said he was promised N6,000 to carry the rice, noting that it was his first time.
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