The Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base(FOB), Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, Muhammed Kabiru, said Navy has actually impounded 40 bags of smuggled rice in addition to the boat used in smuggling the rice

. Kabiru in a statement on Wednesday, said the bags of rice were taken on Feb. 15 throughout regular patrol operations.

He kept in mind that no arrest was made because the smugglers on sighting the naval patrol team deserted the boat and the rice and left.

The commanding officer said that the seizure was based on the regulations of the Chief of Naval Staff Vice Adm. Auwul Gambo, of absolutely no tolerance to all forms of criminalities on Nigeria maritime domain, especially smuggling of rice and crude oil theft.

He said, “We discovered a boat thought to be a smuggling boat upon sighting our gunboat the crew jumped into the water and swam to the nearby creek, therefore escaping arrest.

“We have no alternative however to tow the boat to the base. The boat is here at the jetty with the outboard engine, the contents of the boat have actually been discharged, that include 40 bags of 50kg rice,” he said.

He, nevertheless, handed the taken products to Superintendent Kikems Danbana of Nigeria Customs Service, Joint Border Patrol Team, Oron axis for additional examination and prosecution and cautioned criminals to desist from smuggling.

Receiving the taken products on behalf of Nigerian Custom Service, Mr Danbana, Officer in Charge of Oron Axis, Joint Border Patrol Team said the custom-made would do whatever possible to stop smuggling in the nation.