Navy Nabs Six Suspects, Confiscates 1,439bags of Smuggled Rice.
In continuation of the drive to end illegalities on the waterways, the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, has arrested six suspects and seized 1, 439 bags of smuggled rice.
The arrests were made along the Unyenge, Effiat and Mendoro Creeks in five different operations by Navy officers and men on routine patrol in their gunboats.
Speaking on Tuesday in Ibaka, Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Peter Yilme said on January 13, 2020, two suspects were arrested with 803 bags of 50kg rice, while on January 2, 185 bags of rice were seized but the suspects escaped on siting the Navy gunboats.
He added that on December 26, 2019, 286 bags of rice were seized but the suspects escaped, while on December 23 2019, two suspects were arrested with 88 bags of rice and another two suspects with 77 bags of rice on the same day.
While handing over the suspects and items to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Yilme said the command will remain steadfast in fighting illegalities on the waterways in line with the directive of the Chief of Naval Staff.
“I hand over 1, 439 bags of rice and six suspects to the Superintendent of Customs, Garuba Hassan in line with the directives of the Chief of Naval Staff. We are committed to rid the waterways of all forms of illegalities.
“I commend the untiring efforts of the officers and ratings in ensuring the mandate and tasks of the Base are achieved. I also appreciate the immense effort of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral I. E. Ibas for providing the necessary platform and logistic support for the Base to carry out its operations,” he said.
Deputy Superintendent of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Garuba Hassan received the six suspects and 1, 439 bags of rice from the Nigerian Navy.
One of the suspects, Wede John, a boat worker from Bayelsa State, said he normally transports fish and was carrying rice for the first time when he was arrested.
He said, “I don’t know the owner of the rice and didn’t know that rice was loaded into the boat. This is my first time of carrying rice. I usually transport crayfish and dry fish to Oron. I was carrying rice from Bakassi to Unyenge when I was arrested”.
Awagoyi Philp, who is a boat driver said the owner of the rice promised to pay him N20,000 for carrying the rice but that he was yet to collect the money.
He said, “I drive boats and I was paid to drive the boat that carried the rice. This is my first time. The owner of the rice promised to pay me N20, 000 and is aware that I have been arrested”.
