Operatives of the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom have seized a total of 265 bags of smuggled rice and impounded boats used in smuggling the rice.
The Commanding Officer, FOB, Navy Capt. Mohammed Abu, made this known to journalists in Ibaka while handling over the items to the Nigeria Custom Service on Tuesday.
Abu said the 265 bags of rice were seized from smugglers between Nov. 26 and 29 during routine patrol operations by NNS Thunder commanded by Navy Capt. Christian Akokota.
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He disclosed that smugglers of rice and boats had earlier been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for further investigation and prosecution.
He said, “Between November 26 and 29, NNS Thunder commanded by Navy Capt. Christian Akokota seized cumulatively seven wooden boats carrying petroleum products and other exhibits, inclusive of 265 bags of parboiled rice which had been seized and kept in the base.
“Today, we are handing over the seized rice to the Nigerian Customs Service as part of Operation Tripartite that was initiated by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“FOB Ibaka is a component of the Joint Border Patrol, I just want to state that other exhibits had been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.”
