The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area, has arrested one suspected rice smuggler, Ben Effiong Etim, 28 years.
It also impounded 61 bags of smuggled rice and seized the boat used in smuggling the rice, along Mbo river.
The Commanding Officer, FOB, Navy Capt. Suleiman Abdullahi, disclosed this to newsmen when he handed over the bags of rice to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Ibaka Mbo Local Government Area, on Friday.
Abdullahi said the 61 bags of rice were seized from smugglers on Aug. 5, during routine patrol operations by the Forward Operating Base.
He emphasised that the base would not relent in putting an end to illegal smuggling along the Akwa Ibom waterways and beyond.
“The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Auwal Gambo (CNS), has given a clear directive to Nigerian Navy to rid the waterways of illegalities and other maritime crimes.
“In compliance to that, the Flag Officer Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Sanusi Ibrahim, has further impressed on all Operation Bases within his Area of Responsibility, to keep up with the CNS directive.
“And in compliance with the directive, FOB Ibaka, while on outline patrol on Aug. 5, around 16.53hours, along Mbo rivers, two of our gunboats arrested this exhibit, which comprised; 61kg parboiled rice suspected to have been smuggled into Nigeria from the Republic of Cameroon.
“And same as you have witnessed, is being handed over to the Joint Border Patrol, Operation Tripartite Sector 1.
“To be handed over to them are 61 bags of rice, one wooden boat and one suspect,” Abdullahi said.
He warned smugglers to stay out of the business, as the base would not relent in its continuous patrol to sustain the directive of the NCS and rid criminal elements out of Nigeria waterways.
He urged them to desist from smuggling and other illegal businesses and engage in legitimate endeavours.
“I would like to use this opportunity to warn those maritime criminals that it is not going to be business as usual.
“That they should desist from their criminal ways and engage in genuine businesses, otherwise the long arm of the law will continue to catch up with them,” he said.
NAN reports that the Comptroller of Customs, Sector 1, Port Harcourt, Shehu Abubakar, received the 61 bags of rice, one suspect and the wooden boat, on behalf of the NCS.
Abubakar said that the NCS would do everything possible to stop smuggling in the country.
NAN reports that Abubakar was represented by the Superintendent of Customs, Border Drill Patrol Team, Oron Axis, Mustapha Ahmed.
He urged the smugglers to desist from the illegal trade, stressing that the NCS would not relent in ensuring that all economic sabotage in the country were arrested
He warned smugglers to stay out of illegal businesses and engage in legitimate endeavours, and contribute their quota to the development of the economy.
