NSCDC Marine operatives foils attempt to smuggle 292 bags of foreign rice

By Palma Ileye

In furtherance of enhanced synergy between security agencies in the country, the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Abubakar Ahmed Audi has directed the immediate handing over of three suspects and two hundred and ninety two bags of smuggled foreign rice to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.

According to a press release issued by yesterday by the NSCDC, Public Relations Officer, CSC Afolabi Babawale, the suspects were arrested by the Commandant General’s Marine monitoring team, western Command Unit, Eleko Beach, Lagos based on credible intelligence made available to them.

The statement disclosed that three suspects who were coming from Cotonou, Benin Republic aboard three wooden boats were intercepted by operatives of the NSCDC Marine operations who were on red alert patrol.

It stated that Audi vowed that the Corps will continue to pursue its statutory functions of protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, fight against vandals and vandalism and economic saboteurs in the country.

Adding that it will continue to; in collaboration with other security agencies intensify the fights against crime and criminality in the country.

He directed that the suspects and exhibits; who were arrested on the 18th of September, 2023 be handed over to the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, for prosecution in line with the extant laws of the land after preliminary investigations are concluded.

The NSCDC statement also revealed that, to this effect, the Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Commandant Usman Ishaq Alfadarai has on the 20th of September, 2023 handed over the suspects and exhibits to the appropriate and prosecuting agency at the NSCDC’s Marine Operational Base, Ijora, Lagos State.

The Commandant General reiterated the Corps’ commitment to continued proactive and tactical patrol both on land and sea to forestall all forms of smuggling, make the country’s waterways safe and enhance economic prosperity of the country.