NSCDC operatives intercept smuggled rice, arrest culprits

NSCDC operatives intercept smuggled rice, arrest culprits

In furtherance of enhanced synergy between security agencies in the country, the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Abubakar Ahmed Audi, P.hD, mni, OFR 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.

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 the monitoring team.

The 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.

The Commandant General 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 and 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 for prosecution in line with the extant laws of the land after preliminary investigations are concluded.

To this effect, the Lagos state Commandant of the NSCDC, Comd’t 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.

CSC AFOLABI BABAWALE

CORPS’ NATIONAL PRO

NSCDC HQ

ABUJA.