Navy Arrests 12 for Bunkering, Smuggling in Akwa Ibom

 

The Nigerian Navy has paraded 18 suspects arrested for alleged illegal bunkering of diesel and smuggling of contraband rice in Akwa Ibom State.

The Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of the state, Captain Reginald Adoki, paraded the suspects; 12 crew members arrested for illegal bunkering of diesel and a seized ship.

He also said six suspects were arrested in connection with the smuggling of 523 bags of 50kg contraband rice said to be smuggled from the Republic of Cameroon while  three 40 horsepower outboard engines, one pumping machine, one wooden boat and 52 empty plastic drums were also seized.

Adoki handed over the items seized including, the ship and the suspects, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Ibaka, saying the Navy was determined to rid the coastal environment  of illegal maritime activities.

According to him, "The vessel, NV Sword Fish 5, with 12 crew members was arrested by the Nigerian Navy in Ibaka when our gun boat was carrying out a patrol along the Calabar River.

“The vessel was arrested while it was conducting illegal bunkering of substance we suspect to be diesel to another platform without due authorisation.

"At the time of arrest, we were able to confirm that the vessel had no approval for the transfer of the product it was conducting at the time, and this violates exact regulations as regards movement of petroleum products in Nigeria's maritime environment.

“Also, while conducting our normal patrol at about 20:40 hours last night along Mbo River, based on intelligence, we were able to arrest a medium sized boat that was loaded with 50kg bags of rice and six suspects.

“We would want to reinstate the continued and unalloyed commitment of the navy to ensure that we do our work creditably to rid our area of operations of illegal activities."

The Head of EFCC in Uyo Zone, Mr. Abdukarim Chukkoh, while receiving the 12 suspects from the navy, said the action of the ship and crew members is economic sabotage, and that the commission is at the forefront of trying to tackle such crimes.

The EFCC, he said, is a body created to investigate cases of economic crime, saying: “We see this as economic crime. We are going to take up this matter, investigate it and at the end of our investigation, we are going to charge them to court.”

Chukkoh lauded the cooperation of the Nigerian Navy, which he said was a good indication that both parties are working together in trying to achieve goal.