- The arrests took place on January 4, 2024, at around 8:30 am following credible intelligence indicating the smuggling of foreign parboiled rice from Cameroon via a boat
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Ibaka, Akwa Ibom State, apprehended two suspected smugglers and confiscated 38 bags of 50kg rice, along with impounding a fiber boat used in the smuggling operation. Navy Capt.
Uche Aneke, the Commanding Officer, revealed this during the handover of suspects and seized items to the Nigerian Customs Service in Ibaka on Monday. The arrests took place on January 4, 2024, at around 8:30 am following credible intelligence indicating the smuggling of foreign parboiled rice from Cameroon via a boat.
Aneke said, “Consequently, the gunboats from the Base on routine patrols, through a stop-and-search operation, were able to intercept two suspected smugglers in a fibre boat that contained 38 bags of 50kg contraband foreign parboiled rice concealed under nine drums of 250 litres empty drums covered with a canopy.”
Aneke pledged that FOB Ibaka under the Eastern Naval Command Area of responsibility would continue to detect criminals with advanced surveillance equipment, apprehend and ensure their arrest and prosecution.
He warned individuals or groups interested in smuggling illegal consignment into or out of Nigeria, or planning to carry out any form of criminality in Nigeria’s territorial waters to desist forthwith, adding that Nigerian waters and the Nigerian coastal areas are not for illegal activities.
Receiving the two suspects, along with seized items, Superintendent of Customs, Bolaji Ajao, said that the team would take the suspects for further investigation and prosecution.
He thanked the Nigerian Navy for their cooperation and support to the Nigerian Customs Service in combating smuggling in the country.
“Nigeria Navy has always supported us, we will continue to appreciate them and support each other and work together”, Ajao said.
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