The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Akwa Ibom State, said it arrested two suspected smugglers with a speed boat laden with 350kg bags of fertilizers en route Cameroon.

The Commanding Officer of FOB, Capt. Uche Aneke, disclosed this to journalists while handing over the suspects and items to the Nigerian Customs Service in Ibaka on Thursday.

He said that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday, at about 8:30am.

Mr Aneke said the navy received an intelligence report of activities of suspected smugglers within its area of operations.

“Intelligence report indicated that a speed boat was conveying some bags suspected to be fertilizers, and headed to Cameroon while transiting within the waters under FOB Ibaka Area of operations,” Mr Aneke said.

He warned any individual or groups planning to indulge in smuggling in or out of Nigeria or planning to carry out any form of criminality in Nigeria’s waters to desist forthwith.

Mr Aneke said the Nigerian Navy, under the watch of Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, remained committed to tackling all manners of maritime crimes in the state.

He said that criminals in FOB Ibaka Area of operations under the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility would be detected using advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence.

The Deputy Superintendent of Customs, Akwa Ibom Command, Dada Fagbola, while receiving the suspects and the items, thanked the navy for providing safety on Nigeria’s waterways.

Mr Fagbola said that further investigation and prosecution would be carried out on the matter. 

(NAN)