Navy intercepts 825 bags of smuggled rice in Kwara

KehindeAkimpelu, Ilorin

The navy in Offa, Kwara state has intercepted 825 bags of smuggled rice.

Speaking with journalists while parading the suspected smugglers in Offa on Sunday, the Commandant, Nigeria Navy School of Health Sciences, Capt. Ayodele Olowolagba, said that the arrest was made at about 5:00 am on Sunday.

“This morning at about 0500 hours that’s 5am this morning July 7 while conducting checks at the old check- point, opposite the Nigerian Navy School of Health Sciences, Offa gate, 15 vehicles were arrested.

“Each of them was carrying 55 bags of foreign rice, totalling 825 bags of rice. The commodities in the car would be handed over to the police.

“Nigerian Navy is a friendly force. We are very friendly even with the immediate community.

With the security services we carry around Offa and Kwara state, we would not do anything inimical to the success of all the activities of the government in power.

We are committed to making sure that all the activities of the government are carried out peacefully.

“That is why all of us are here. As I said earlier, we would hand over all the 15 vehicles with all the 825 bags of foreign rice to the police in the presence of the customs,” he stated.

Speaking further, the commandant said that the navy has been conducting security test on designated check points situated along Ira Road, Oyun Local Government Area, located in front of the school.

“This is part of our efforts to beef up security in Offa and his neighbouring towns.

In the course of carrying this exercise daily, navy personnel have been encountering persons carrying out illicit acts to the extent that they often threaten to deal with security personnel on official duty.

“Despite the threat, the personnel are uncompromising and resolute in carrying out their legal duties to the nation.

This is despite the allegation by smugglers that the navy personnel are compromising. It should be noted that the personnel will support the federal government in curbing this illicit act which impacts negatively on the nation’s socio-economic life.

Speaking with journalists, one of the suspects who is a driver of one of the vehicles, Ahmad Mustafa, confessed to the crime, saying that he was coming from Shaki with the commodity for sale in Offa, Kwara state.