Akpan Umoh, Uyo
The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom says the FOB impounded 64 bags of smuggled rice in Mbo waterways during routine patrol operations.
The Base Operating Officer, Lt.-Cdr. Daniel Onyemaeze said this during the handing over of the 64 bags of smuggled rice at FOB Ibaka to Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday.
He said that the consignment was seized on Sept. 22 and Sept. 27 along the Mbo River to serve as a deterrent to smugglers, who were sabotaging the Nigerian economy.
The forward operating base officer said that the smugglers abandoned the rice and the boat and fled on sighting the naval patrol team.
He emphasised that the base would not relent in putting an end to criminals and illegalities on the Akwa Ibom waterways.
He said that the seizure was the premise of the directives of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Auwul Gambo, of zero tolerance to all forms of criminalities in Nigeria’s maritime domain, particularly smuggling of rice and crude oil theft.
“In compliance with the provisions of Harmonised Standard Operating Procedures on arrest, detention and prosecution of vessels and persons in Nigerian’s Maritime Environment 2016.
“On behalf of Nigerian Navy FOB, Ibaka, I hereby hand over 64 x 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice to Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for further investigation,” Onyemaeze said.
Receiving the consignment on behalf of NCS, Mr Kikems Danbana, Superintendent of Customs and Officer in charge of the Joints Border Patrol Team, Oron Axis said he was collecting the items for onward transfer to NCS Government warehouse in Calabar for safekeeping and further necessary action.
“This is not the first time, we have been coming here several times for handing over foreign parboiled rice,” he said.
He thanked the Navy personnel for working tremendously on the waterways to curb the menace of smugglers and criminal activities and the synergy with the Joints Border Patrol Team.