Mr Omotayo said the seized items were intercepted during a series of targeted, intelligence-led operations.
Mr Aneke said that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday, at about 8:30am. .
“We shall ensure that cultists and militants do not operate freely on land and in the marine areas of Akwa Ibom,” the navy said.
The commanding officer, FOB, Uche Aneke, handed over the suspects and the rice to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area of the state.
Mr Umoru said after searching, a total of 50 sacks of the suspected products, valued at about N70 million, were recovered.
“The adjoining communities were also raided, but neither products nor suspects were found,” he said.
The impounded vessels were anchored at the Naval facility Forward Operating Base (FOB) Formoso in Brass, Bayelsa.
