The Nigerian Navy in Akwa Ibom State said October, it arrested 54 suspects and seized 3,378 bags of smuggled rice.
Captain Peter Yilme said the smuggled rice worth fifty seven million, four hundred and twenty-six thousand naira (57,426,000).
Yilme said the Navy seized 650 bags of rice and 14 wooden boats within four weeks.
Yilme said the seized items comprises 650 bags of 50kg rice, as well as 8 suspects and 2 wooden boats.
Captain Yilme said the culprits were arrested on October 27 and 29 respectively around parrot island along Calabar Channel. And Effiat waters ways during a patrol by Navy gunboats.
Speaking on Thursday in Ibaka, Yilme handed over the suspects and items to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Lieutenant Commander Kabiru Yusuf represented. He said the command will remain steadfast.
”We will fight illegalities on the waterways,” he said.
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Yilme said: ”FOB Ibaka will go after persons who continue to smuggle in rice despite Government’s directives against rice importation.”
Deputy Superintendent of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Alabi Adedokun commended the Navy for their cooperation.
He said, “On behalf NCS, I, Alabi, Adedokun take over the 8 defendants and 650 bags of foreign parboiled rice. ”On behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service, we thank you very much”.
