The Nigerian Navy Ship Victory in Calabar, Cross River State has intercepted a boat laden with several barrels of illegally refined petroleum product along Ikang waterways in Bakassi Local Government Area.
It was learnt that the products, which were intercepted during a patrol in the area were to be smuggled to neighbouring Cameroon.
The base operations officer, Nigerian Navy, Clement Ayogu, while handing over the products to officials of the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Wednesday said the smugglers had escaped upon the sight of the patrol team, leaving the product behind.
“The suspects were arrested last week, around Ikang community. After further investigations, it was gathered that these seizures were of the attempt of being smuggled out of this country,” he said.
Ayogu, who did not disclose the quantity of the products said they have been handed over to the NSCDC for further investigations.
Spokesperson of the NSCDC in Cross River State, Solomon Eremi, while receiving the confiscated goods thanked the Nigerian Navy for their cooperation and synergy in combating economic sabotage and called on residents not to relent in providing useful information to help in curbing illegal activities in Nigeria’s waterways.
