Navy arrests one suspected rice smuggler, impounded boat

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area has arrested a 28-year-old rice smuggling suspect, Ben Effiong Etim.
The FOB also seized 61 bags of the smuggled rice and impounded the boat used in smuggling the item through Mbo River.
The Commanding Officer, FOB, Navy Capt. Suleiman Abdullahi, said this while handing over the seized item to the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) in Ibaka, Mbo LGA, on Friday.
According to Abdullahi, the 61 bags of rice were seized August 5, 2021 during routine patrol by the personnel of the FOB.
He emphasised that the FOB would not relent in its mandate putting an end to illegal smuggling along the Akwa Ibom waterways and beyond.
“The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Auwal Gambo, has given a clear directive to Nigerian Navy to rid the waterways of illegalities and other maritime crimes.
“In compliance with the directive, 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 to the directive, FOB Ibaka while on routine patrol on August 5, 2021 around 4.53 pm along Mbo rivers, two of our gunboats intercepted this particular exhibit, which comprised 61 kg 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 one. To be handed over to them are 61 bags of rice, one wooden boat, and one suspect,” Abdullahi said.
The commander warned smugglers to stay out of the business, noting that Navy would not relent in its continuous patrol to sustain the directives of the CNS and rid criminal elements from Nigeria waterways.
He urged them to desist from smuggling and other illegal businesses and engage in legitimate endeavours
“I will like to use this opportunity to warn those maritime criminals that it is not going to be business as usual.
“They must desist from their criminal ways and engage in genuine business, otherwise the long arm of the law will continue to catch up on them,” he said.
Receiving the 61 bags of rice, one suspect and the wooden boat on behalf of the Nigeria Custom Service, the Comptroller of Custom, Sector 1 Port Harcourt, Shehu Abubakar, said the custom would do everything within its power to halt all forms of smuggling in the country.
Abubakar, who was represented by the Superintendent of Custom, Border Drill Patrol Team, Oron Axis, Mustapha Ahmed, 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.