A joint military task force, codenamed Border Drill Operations, has raided a suspected smugglers’ den and impounded over 800 bags of rice in Unyenghe community, in the Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
It was learnt that the raid was carried out by over 70 armed security operatives drawn from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Air Force, Navy, Nigeria Immigration Service and the police.
The operation was said to have been led by the Comptroller of Customs and Sector Coordinator for South-South and South-East Zone, Shehu Abubakar. Speaking to journalists at the end of the operation on Saturday, Abubakar described the area as a haven for contraband rice, adding that it was discovered through intelligence gathering.
His said, ‘’Truck drivers refused to come to this area to convey the smuggled items back to customs office because of fear of attack. So, we had to use our Hilux vehicles for the transportation. We have broken the jinx. This is the first time security operatives will come here to make seizures.” According to the comptroller, the law empowers the customs to search premises and patrol freely, adding that being in possession of smuggled items is an offence punishable under the Customs and Excise Act.