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From Isaac Job, Uyo
The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has arrested two suspected smugglers with speedboats loaded with 350 kg of fertiliser in the state.
Parading the suspects at Ibaka on Thursday and handing them over to Nigeria Customs, the Commanding Officer Forward Operations Base, Ibaka Capt. Uche Aneke said the suspected smugglers were arrested on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at about 8:30 in the morning.
Aneke said the navy received an intelligence report of suspected smuggler activity within its area of operations.
“Intelligence report indicated that a speed boat was conveying some bags suspected to be fertilisers and headed to the Republic of Cameroon while transiting within the waters under FOB Ibaka Area of operations.”
The Commanding Officer warned any individual or groups interested in smuggling illegal consignments in or out of Nigeria or planning to carry out any form of criminality in Nigeria’s waters to desist forthwith.
“Under the current leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, we will ensure that it is impossible for maritime crimes to continue in the maritime and coastal areas of Akwa Ibom.”
Aneke said that criminal elements in the FOB Ibaka Area of operations under the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility would continue to be detected using advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence.
Receiving the suspects and items, Mr Dada Fagbola, the Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Akwa Ibom Command thanked the navy for providing safety to Nigeria’s waters.
Fagbola assured the navy that thorough investigation and prosecution would be carried out on the matter in line with the Harmonised Standard Operating procedure on Arrest, Detention and Prosecution of vessels and persons in Nigeria’s Maritime Environment.
