A source said the smugglers were about to load the bags of foreign parboiled rice into their awaiting vehicles when the navy operatives swept down on them.
The commander said the arrest demonstrated the Nigerian Navy’s resolve and commitment to reduce maritime-related crimes to the barest minimum.
He said the team had, on January 6, apprehended one wooden and one fibre boat laden with about 2,000 litres of stolen crude oil around Krakrama general area in Rivers.
The chairman of the committee, Yusuf Gagdi (APC-Plateau), made the recommendation at the 2025 budget defence session in Abuja on Monday.
Mr Osuman said the 109 bags of foreign rice were being handed over to J.I. Ohagwu, the officer in charge of operations at Seme Customs.
Mr Fakrogha said that the boat was arrested on Tuesday at about 5.00am while approaching one of the oil wells located in the state.
Mr Usman said the navy uncovered nine illegal refining sites at the Obenla community in the Ilaje LGA.
The Nigerian Navy says it intercepted a boat laden with about 100,000 litres of stolen crude oil at the Idiogba-Mahin coastline in Ilaje LLGA.
Mr Bamalli noted that reviving the abandoned secondary school project would improve the lives of people in Zangon Aya District.
The recruitment of 1,814 ratings became necessary to secure our maritime environment, ensuring national economic prosperity,” said Mr Ogalla.
