NAVY ARRESTS 6 SUSPECTS CONVEYING 6,790 LITRES OF SMUGGLED PETROL TO CAMEROON

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) has taken custody of six people who were apprehended by the Nigerian Navy in Ibaka, Akwa Ibom State, on suspicion of smuggling 6,790 liters of illegal Premium Motor Spirit to the Republic of Cameroon.
The NSCDC in Akwa Ibom received the suspects and the seized items on Monday, according to Uche Aneke, the Commanding Officer of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka.

According to Aneke, the individuals were apprehended once the base received accurate intelligence. Additionally, he insisted that Akwa Ibom’s zero-tolerance policy against marine crimes will be upheld by the command, which is headed by Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff.

He said, “Falcon Eye Alignment Intelligence report indicated that a boat was conveying products suspected to have been smuggled from a creek and heading to the Republic of Cameroon while transiting within the waters under FOB Ibaka area of operation.

“Consequently, the gunboats from the Base on routine patrols were vectored to intercept and arrest the six smugglers in a wooden boat that contained 6, 790 litres of PMS concealed under 25 bags of yam, cartons of drinks, cornflakes and over 200 cartons of tiles covered with a tarpaulin.”

Superintendent of Corps Michael Asibor, Head of the NSCDC’s Anti Vandal Unit, Akwa Ibom Command, received the six suspects, the wooden boat, and the six 790-liter PMS containers.

Asibor promised that the corps would look into the matter further and bring appropriate charges against the suspects.

“The next line of action is to interrogate them and as soon as our investigation is concluded, they would be charged to court for prosecution immediately,” Asibor said.