Smugglers Arrested In Akwa Ibom With 416 Bags Of Contraband Rice

Operatives of the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, in the Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have apprehended three suspected smugglers and seized 416 bags of contraband rice.

The rice, packaged in 50kg bags, was said to have been smuggled from Cameroon and intercepted by the operatives in a medium-sized wooden boat along the Mbo River during a routine operation.

The Commanding Officer, FOB, Navy Captain Reginald Adoki, who disclosed this while handing over the suspects and the items to the Nigeria Customs Service at Ibaka on Wednesday, said it was discovered that the wooden boat, which was fitted with two 40-horsepower Yamaha outboard engines, was conveying the 416 bags of rice.

He said, “The gunboat of the FOB, Ibaka, while conducting routine patrol along the Mbo River and other adjoining creeks, intercepted a medium-sized wooden boat.

“After offloading, it was discovered to be conveying 416 bags of 50kg rice and two 40-horsepower Yamaha outboard engines fitted to the wooden boat. Preliminary investigations revealed that the three suspects were bringing the rice from Cameroon.”