On February 22, the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operation Base in Ibaka, located in the state of Akwa Ibom, made a significant arrest.
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A patrol team of the Navy received an intelligence report which suggested that there was a smuggling activity taking place in the area.
Acting on this information, the team apprehended two suspects and seized their wooden boat, which was filled with a whopping 5,100 litres of petrol.
The Commanding Officer of the base, Navy Capt. Uche Aneke, handed over the suspects, the boat, and the petrol to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ibaka on Sunday.
This operation has successfully put a stop to the smuggling of petrol in the area, and the authorities deserve commendation for their prompt action.
“Patrolling naval gunboats were deployed to intercept the wooden boat.
“In the boat were the two suspected smugglers and 5,100 litres of petrol concealed under bags of yams, cartons of drinks, other beverages and several cartons of floor tiles, all covered with tarpaulin,’’ he said.
Aneke cautioned individuals and groups involved in the illegal business to refrain or prepare to face the wrath of the law.
He issued a stern warning to criminals to steer clear of Nigeria’s territorial waters, stressing that security agencies would not condone illegal activities in the country’s coastal areas.
The head of NSCDC’s anti-vandalism unit in Akwa Ibom, Mr Micheal Asibor, who took delivery of the suspects and the exhibits, assured of diligent prosecution of the incident.
