The Nigeria Navy forward operating base (FOB) at Ibaka in Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom has arrested 24 suspects with 1,831 bags of smuggled rice. Peter Yilme, the commanding officer of the FOB, disclosed this to journalists in Ibaka, on Sunday. Yilme said 5 wooden boats used in smuggling the rice from Cameroon to Nigeria were also seized, and that the arrest was made during routine operations by operatives in the past one month.

Yilme, who was represented by Kabiru Yusuf, base operations officer, during the handing over of the suspects and items to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), said the command would remain steadfast in fighting criminals on Nigeria’s territorial waters in line with the directive of the chief of naval staff.

Dauda Garuba, an officer of the NCS, received the suspects and items from the navy. Two of the suspects claimed they were not told that they were to carry bags of rice from Cameroon to Nigeria while another said he was told that he would be transporting fish. He said it was when the rice was loaded into the boat that he realised that he would not be conveying fish as told.

The federal government closed Nigeria’s land borders in August to check smuggling. While some Nigerians condemned the action, other citizens praised the government’s initiative. In October, the Gombe state chapter of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) expressed its support for the border closure, saying farmers in the country can produce enough rice to feed Nigerians and to export.

Kalagar Lubo, state secretary of RIFAN, said the closure is a positive development that will promote the production of fresh locally made rice.

“With the extension of rains to the end of October, the yield will be good. The home production is very good, first it is fresh and the value is good. If the border is opened the farmer will not have it good. When you buy a bag at N10,000, it will cost you just N20,000 for two bags. When you go to the market, a bag of foreign rice is sold at N18,000,” he had said.

SOURCE: https://www.thecable.ng/navy-seizes-1831-bags-of-rice-smuggled-by-sea-from-cameroon

They can flex power in the south south and south east wile the northern border is freely open to jihadist groups

Rice that chinedu or chukwuka suppose to be selling as his hustle, thats what army went to go and keep.

If chinedu go and do yahoo now, everybody would complain. Now chinedu wants to sell rice, you have spoilt his hustle.

Just have a plan to leave this country.

Okpa042:
Rice that chinedu or chukwuka suppose to be selling as his hustle, thats what army went to go and keep.

If chinedu go and do yahoo now, everybody would complain. Now chinedu wants to sell rice, you have spoilt his hustle.

Just have a plan to leave this country.

I believe chinedu is aware that the country has banned the importation of foreign rice, why don't you advice chinedu to obey the laws of the land and do legitimate business.

There is hunger in the land.
Why can’t they just share this rice for the common man.
Or give to foundations & to cook and give food to the hungry out there.


..

Seetto:

I believe chinedu is aware that the country has banned the importation of foreign rice, why don't you advice chinedu to obey the laws of the land and do legitimate business.

Where will d seized rice b taken to nw.... Won't d same government divert it to d market for sales??

Litesanti:


Where will d seized rice b taken to nw.... Won't d same government divert it to d market for sales??

Well I don't know, may be you escort government officials to the market to sell the seized rice, or you have witnessed them selling the rice, at least be positive minded, I don't know your side, but here in Kaduna getting foreign rice in the market is very difficult, people have resolved to consumption of local rice and the farmers are improving day by day, there are local rice brand which are quite not to different from the foreign rice in the market at a cheaper prices, let support our local farmers and help them grow, this will reduce unemployment and improve our economic, the fact that you hate the government of the day doesn't mean that you should not support any of their positive policy meant at improving the country growth.

Seetto:

Well I don't know, may be you escort government officials to the market to sell the seized rice, or you have witnessed them selling the rice, at least be positive minded, I don't know your side, but here in Kaduna getting foreign rice in the market is very difficult, people have resolved to consumption of local rice and the farmers are improving day by day, there are local rice brand which are quite not to different from the foreign rice in the market at a cheaper prices, let support our local farmers and help them grow, this will reduce unemployment and improve our economic, the fact that you hate the government of the day doesn't mean that you should not support any of their positive policy meant at improving the country growth.

I've witness where a custom official was offloading rice to one of d marketers at d market

Litesanti:


I've witness where a custom official was offloading rice to one of d marketers at d market

You should have blow the whistle

hakeemhakeem:


You should have blow the whistle

Those dat av blown wat happened to dem?? Diz country need serous refurbishment

hakeemhakeem:


You should have blow the whistle

Those dat av blown wat did they achieve??... Diz country needs serious refurbishment