The Nigerian Army has intercepted 85 bags of smuggled rice
in a compound in Abor-Uwani community in Afikpo North Local Government Area of
Ebonyi.
The raid was part of the ongoing “Exercise Atilogwu Udo 1’’.
The News Agency of Nigeria said Aliyu Yusuf, Deputy
Director, Public Relations of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, disclosed this
on Saturday.
Yusuf said that the smuggled bags of rice, each weighing
50kg, were intercepted on December 19 through intelligence received by troops
of Sector 6 (Abakaliki) of the exercise.
He said, “Troops on patrol following a tip-off from the
Department of State Services raided a compound where a Mercedes Benz truck
loaded with 85 bags of suspected smuggled foreign rice was packed.
“This was in Abor-Uwani community in Afikpo North Local
Government Area of Ebonyi State.
“The suspects – Mr Bartholomew Obioha Nwankwo, 49, and Mr
Nkama Agu, 57, – both from Unwana community in Afikpo North LGA were arrested
in connection with the smuggled rice.’’
The army spokesperson added that the suspects, the truck,
and the bags of rice had been handed over to the Ebonyi State Commissioner for
Internal Affairs for further action.
Yusuf said that in a related development, troops in Sector 6
in conjunction with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency recently raided
the hideout of suspected drug dealers in Abakaliki town.
He said, “Five suspects were arrested while items recovered
in the area included suspected wraps of Indian Hemp, Tramadol, and cocaine
among other things."
He added that a brown Mercedes Benz car with registration
number Ebonyi NAC 399 AA was seized.
“Suspects and exhibits have been handed over to the relevant
security agency for further action,’’ he said.
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