The Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has said it apprehended two suspected smugglers and seized 150 drums of Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol.
The commandant of the NSCDC in the state, Mr Yusuf Imam, who disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Uyo on Saturday, said the suspects were arrested on Thursday following intelligence by the marine unit of the command that the suspects were conveying the products in a wooden boat to neighbouring Cameroon.
He added that the operatives also seized five engines and one pumping machine used in smuggling petroleum products.
Imam warned that the corps would not tolerate any criminality on the waterways, stressing that all economic sabotage and vandalism in the state would be met with the full weight of the law.
“It's not going to be business as usual in my time. I am here to work, and you can expect to see more of this as we will make Akwa Ibom State a living hell for vandals and oil thieves,” he added.
The commandant disclosed that the suspects would be charged at the end of investigations.
