The Nigerian Navy has announced the capture of a syndicate from Akwa Ibom State that smuggled petroleum products and other illegal commodities to Cameroon and other countries in the Gulf of Guinea region.
While transferring the suspects, Captain Uche Aneke, the Base’s Commanding Officer, verified this occurrence and mentioned that the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) had captured them in the coastal waters of Ibaka, which is located in the state’s Mbo local government area.
Three people suspected of oil theft were among those arrested; they were discovered in possession of 1,000 cartons of beer that were to be shipped to the neighboring Republic of Cameroon, as well as 2,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as gasoline.
Aneke claims that the Navy has shown the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) personnel in Akwa Ibom Command the seized items as well as other expensive things valued at millions of naira.
According to Naija News, the arrests took place Wednesday at around 7 p.m. as part of a regular nighttime sweep along the Mbo River that involved a stop-and-search operation.
“After conducting a thorough search, our gunboat found drums of PMS totaling 2,000 liters that were carefully hidden under the cartons with the intention of smuggling into the Republic of Cameroon after the Navy intercepted a wooden boat carrying approximately 1,000 cartons of various brands of beer and other goods,” Aneke explained.
As a result, Aneke issued a warning to anyone or any organization involved in smuggling or any other illegal activity in Nigerian seas to stop right away or face the full force of the law if apprehended. He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to combating regional marine crimes.
He reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to combating regional marine crimes.
He said that using cutting-edge surveillance equipment and intelligence collection, illegal activity in the FOB Ibaka operational area—which is within the authority of the Eastern Naval Command—would be consistently detected.
“These criminals will be caught and face the appropriate legal action.” The Navy CO issued a warning: “Nigeria’s waters and coastal areas are not for illegal activities.”
Assistant Superintendent of the Corps, NSCDC, Willie Sunday, stated that the Command would conduct additional investigation to determine the guilt and prosecute the suspects after obtaining the materials, suspects, and other commodities.
