Navy arrests youth leader, 2 others over smuggling
A youth leader in Akwa-Ibom and two other persons have been arrested by the Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base (FOB), for alleged smuggling in the state.
Emem Ukut, 44, the youth president of Udung Isemin in Ibaka and two other suspected smugglers - Kingsley Ekpe, 31, from Ibaka and David Etim, 32, from Ebughu, all in Mbo LGA, were intercepted while transporting suspected smuggled rice within the Nigerian territorial water.
The navy also seized 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.
Speaking, yesterday, in Ibaka, the Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Yusuf Idris, said the command would not be tired of arresting smugglers as they have not relented from engaging in the illicit business despite numerous arrests.
“These suspects and their items were arrested at Mbo River on Tuesday by our men on patrol at about 20:30 hours. 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,” he said.
Idris handed the suspects together with the seized items over to the Assistant Comptroller of Customs in charge of Oron Outstation, Eastern Marine Command, Mr. Ali Garko.