Navy impounds smuggled rice, seizes boat in A’Ibom

The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of ​​Akwa Ibom, seized 40 bags of smuggled rice and confiscated the boat used for smuggling.

The commanding officer, Navy Capt. Muhammed Kabiru, made this known to reporters in Ibaka on Wednesday as he handed over the bags of rice to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

Kabiru said the 40 bags of rice were seized from smugglers on February 15 during routine patrol operations at the team site.

He said the smugglers abandoned the rice and boat and fled at the sight of the naval patrol team.

He assured that the base will not give up on putting an end to the illegalities in the waterways of Akwa Ibom.

Kabiru said the seizure was due to directives from the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Auwul Gambo, on zero tolerance for all forms of crime in Nigeria‘s maritime domain, particularly rice smuggling and crude oil theft. .

He said: “On February 15, 2022, at approximately 6:00 p.m., during our regular patrol to eliminate all forms of illegalities within our areas of responsibility, we came across a vessel suspected of being a smuggling vessel.

“Seeing our gunboat, the crew jumped into the water and swam to the nearby creek, there.

“We have no choice but to tow the boat to the base. The boat is here at the dock with the outboard motor. The contents of the boat have been unloaded, which is 40 bags of 50 kg of rice; they are here.

“So, I, Navy Captain Muhammad Kabiru, Commanding Officer of FOB Ibaka, here the contents of the boat 40 bags of 50 kg of rice to Superintendent Kikems Danbana of the Nigerian Customs Service, Joint Border Patrol Team, Oron Axis, for further investigation and possible prosecution.”

He advised smugglers to move away from Nigeria’s sea borders, adding that it would no longer be business as usual for them.

He urged those engaged in smuggling and other illegal businesses to engage in legitimate activities.

Danbana, who received the 40 bags of rice on behalf of NCS, said the service was determined to stop smuggling into the country.

He also warned smugglers to desist from the illegal trade, emphasizing that the NCS would continue to checkmate economic sabotage in the country.