The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, says it has arrested five suspects and impounded a wooden boat with 18 bags of rice in the state.
NAN reports that this was disclosed by the Commanding Officer, Capt. Uche Aneke, when he handed over the suspects and bags of rice to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Ibaka on Friday.
Aneke stated that the suspects were arrested on Thursday.
According to him, the Nigerian Navy (FOB) Ibaka had received intelligence regarding suspected smuggling activities within the area of operation.
He further explained that the intelligence indicated that a boat was conveying some foreign parboiled rice suspected to have been smuggled from Cameroon to Nigeria and transiting within the waters under 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.
“Today, we are handing them to Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for further investigation and prosecution.
“Under the current leadership of Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, criminal activities will not be tolerated on Nigerian waters.
“We will continue to frustrate their efforts,” Aneke said.
