By INI BILLIE, Uyo
The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has arrested the Youth President of Udung Isemin in Ibaka, Emem Ukut, 44, and two other persons for smuggling 40 bags of rice.
Ukut and two other suspected smugglers – Kingsley Ekpe, 31 from Ibaka and David Etim, 32, from Ebughu, all in Mbo LGA, were arrested while transporting the rice within the Nigerian territorial water.
One 175 horsepower Yamaha outboard engine; nine empty 200-litre drums; two empty 100 litre drums, and a fibre boat used in transporting the contraband from the suspected smugglers were also seized by the Navy.
The Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Yusuf Idris, said on Thursday in Ibaka that the command would not be tired of arresting the smugglers as they have not stopped engaging in the illicit business despite numerous arrests.
He said the command is committed to curbing the trade in contraband to protect the average Nigerian citizen from the harmful effects of goods smuggled into the country.
He added that the command would continue to seize bags of rice no matter how small once it has been established that the item is contraband.
While handing the three suspects together with the seized items to the Assistant Comptroller of Customs in charge of Oron Outstation, Eastern Marine Command, Mr. Ali Garko, Idris said, “We are here again to handover three suspected rice smugglers with 40 bags of rice and a fibre boat with 175 HP Yamaha outboard engine; nine empty drums of 200 litres; two empty 100 litre drums.
“These suspects and their items were arrested at Mbo River on Tuesday by our men on patrol at about 20:30hours. So as usual and in line with the harmonised standard operating procedures, I shall be handing over the suspects and the exhibits to men of the Nigeria Customs for prosecution and necessary conviction.
“On this note, I want to assure the good and legitimate users of the seas, of navy’s continuous assistance and protection towards their legitimate business that enhance economic growth of this nation.
“I will equally warn as usual that the Nigerian Navy as I said during last arrest that even if it is two bags of rice that is suspected to come from any foreign country through this water, I will confiscate the items, arrest the suspects and hand them over to the appropriate authority for further necessary actions.
“I want to remind you that rice is a contraband and it remains so. It should not pass through Nigerian water again because I will not get tired; my men will not be tired of arresting the smugglers if they do not get tired of bringing this rice into this country, I will also not get tired of getting them arrested and the contraband seized”.
He further added that no threat or intimidation anywhere will make him renege in the navy’s core mandate of securing Nigeria’s maritime space against smuggling or other forms of criminality.
The Customs Assistant Comptroller, Eastern Marine Command, Garko, thanked the Nigerian Navy for its unwavering support in fighting smuggling within the Nigerian maritime territory.
He cautioned would-be smugglers to desist from the illicit trade saying that smuggling ruins a country’s economy.
He said, “This is not the first or the second time navy has been helping us in this regard; there is nothing more we can say than a big thank you to the Nigerian Navy.”
Speaking, the youth president, Ukut said the rice (Habiba brand) was not a smuggled item, noting that they bought the 40 bags of rice from Ebughu for distribution in the riverine communities.
He said the fibre boat could not be ideal for them to transport such items from Cameroon to Nigeria.
I simply want to tell you that I’m very new to weblog and truly liked your web-site. Almost certainly I’m going to bookmark your blog post . You certainly come with impressive article content. Appreciate it for revealing your web-site.
high line pointe reviews
high line pointe apartments
high line pointe denver
high line pointe apartments
high line pointe denver
high line pointe
adeline bababikov
high line pointe denver
786912 818721This is going to be a terrific blog, would you be interested in performing an interview about just how you developed it? If so e-mail me! 589506
426670 493623Would love to always get updated excellent site ! . 958622
701770 256399This write-up contains fantastic original thinking. The informational content material here proves that items arent so black and white. I feel smarter from just reading this. 804178
210726 955101I agree with you. I wish I had your blogging style. 483603
71480 837722I enjoy the beneficial data you offer in your articles. 328772
260436 757772appreciate the effort you put into finding us this details 580631
486474 208992Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? Im kinda paranoid about losing everything Ive worked hard on. Any suggestions? 161732
622265 781984But a smiling visitor here to share the adore (:, btw fantastic pattern . 452724
704612 170228Im positive your publish and internet internet site is extremely constructed 253871
802950 523972Just added this blog to my favorites. I enjoy reading your blogs and hope you keep them coming! 319046
357660 239667You made some initial rate factors there. I seemed on the internet for the difficulty and located many people will go along with together with your site. 224727
659339 875300Yay google is my world beater aided me to discover this outstanding website! . 712005
317364 234273really good post, i certainly really like this superb website, keep on it 419401
28837 224536There is noticeably a bundle to learn about this. I assume you produced confident good points in functions also. 532825
306657 915749truly very good post, i undoubtedly adore this site, maintain on it 367051
336067 592740Cheers for this outstanding. I was wondering whether you were preparing of publishing similar posts to this. .Keep up the excellent articles! 221998
238359 820918I like this site so a lot, saved to favorites . 85355
413169 294484I like this internet site so a lot, bookmarked . 3780
147733 596662Largest lover messages were produced to share it together with your and gives honour with the bride and groom. Quite sound systems facing unnecessary throngs of folks should take into account each of our valuable concept of all presenting, which is ones trailer. best man toasts 517443
944539 128431There is noticeably a lot to know about this. I believe you created some good points in attributes also. 513793
411654 810412This post is dedicated to all those who know what is billiard table; to all people who do not know what is pool table; to all people who want to know what is billiards; 854712