The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Mbo local government area, Akwa Ibom State, has arrested twelve suspects and seized 742 bags of contraband rice from them in four different operations.
Five suspects and 339 bags of 50kg rice, were arrested in the first operation and in the second operation five suspects and 301 bags of 50kg rice, were also arrested while the third and fourth arrests include one suspect each, 41 and 43 bags of 50kg rice respectively.
Other items seized from the suspects between May 1st to 3rd, 2019 include two wooden boats, two fibre boats, four outboard engines and four pumping machines.
Speaking Saturday in Ibaka during the hand-over of the suspects, and items to the Nigeria Customs Service, Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Toritseju Vincent, promised that the Navy will remain committed to its assigned roles in checking illegalities on the water ways.
He said : “On behalf of the flag officer Eastern Naval Command, I am handing over these five suspects who were apprehended on Wednesday, the 1st of May in the early hours of the morning with 339 bags of rice, one big wooden boat, two outboard engines and two pumping machines.
“Likewise, five suspects were arrested on 3rd May at about 0700 hours around the Akpan platform axis and they had 301 bags of rice in their wooden boat, as well as two outboard engines and two pumping machines.
“We are handing over the suspects, the contraband goods and the boats to the Nigeria Customs, alongside the two suspects, 84 bags of contraband goods and two fibre boats.
“I will like to thank you for your support in the past few weeks; it has been a continuing operation. We will continue to do our best out there in the waters and believe we will always have your unconditional support in carrying out our constitutional roles as assigned to both services.
