The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, located in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, has arrested five suspects and impounded a wooden boat carrying 18 bags of rice.
Commanding Officer, Capt. Uche Aneke, shared this information as he handed over the suspects and the contraband rice to the Nigeria Customs Service in Ibaka on Friday.
Aneke stated that the suspects were apprehended on Thursday following intelligence received by the Nigerian Navy Ibaka about suspected smuggling activities within their operational area.
The gathered intelligence suggested that a boat was transporting foreign parboiled rice believed to have been smuggled from Cameroon into Nigeria, passing through the waters under the FOB Ibaka Area of Operation.
“Yesterday, we were able to intercept a wooden boat carrying 18 bags of parboiled rice that are contraband items, and they were concealed under 600 baskets of tomatoes,” Aneke said.
He went on to explain that the suspects and the confiscated rice were being handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service for further investigation and potential prosecution.
Aneke emphasized the commitment of the Nigerian Navy, particularly under the leadership of Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, to combat criminal activities in Nigerian waters.
He assured that such efforts to thwart smuggling and illegal activities would persist.
