Navy intercepts boats laden with rice in Akwa Ibom

The Nigerian Navy (NN) on Monday said two wooden boats laden with 502 bags of rice have been intercepted by its operatives in Akwa Ibom State.

It was gathered that the items valued at over N10million, brought to 919 the total number of bags of rice intercepted by the Navy this month and 9,489 since January.

Speaking on the development, the Director, Naval Information, Commodore Suleiman Dahun, said the arrest was made by the operatives attached to the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka around Parrot Island waterways and Mbo River.

“During the operation, nine suspects were arrested, three outboard engines and two pumping machines were seized,” he said.

Dahun said the Naval Headquarters (NHQ) hailed the sustained efforts of the base in checking smuggling, urging it to continue to stamp out illegalities.

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“In a related development, FOB FORMOSO has handed over an impounded barge EBIZARH and a tug boat HEBIZARH with three crew members to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“The two vessels were impounded at the Nigerian Agip Oil Company Terminal in Brass, Bayelsa State, for conveying 600 metric tonnes of suspected illegally refined AGO,” he maintained.

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