Augustine Effiong, a suspected supplier of drugs and medical adviser to militants, has been handed over by the Nigerian Navy to the officials of the Department of State Services in Calabar.
Effiong, who is said to have dealings with militants running the creeks of Bakassi and Akpabuyo Local Government Areas of Cross River state, allegedly renders medical services to the militants.
Commodore Obed Ngalabak, commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship, Victory Calabar, said that the suspect was arrested on the 26th of October, 2016 at Nakande-Idebe area in Bakassi Local Government Area of the state.
Ngalabak, who handed over the suspect to the Cross River State director of DSS, said that the handover was in compliance with the directives of the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral James Oluwole.
He said the operation was carried out by the men of Nigerian Navy Special Forces attached to the NNS Victory.
He said, “On the 26th of October 2016, men of the Nigerian Navy arrested one Mr. Augustine Effiong at his shop around Nakanda-Idebe in Bakassi Local Government Area.
“Earlier reports indicated that the suspect owned a pharmacy and worked in collaboration with militants by providing medical services to the injured members of the Bakassi Strike Force and Aston Boys militant groups.
“Upon his arrest, the suspect claimed he was forced by Benjamin Ene, also known as G1, and Victor Ene (G3) to provide drugs and other medical essentials to the groups.
“However, his failure to report the activities of the militants to the appropriate authority shows that he was a willing accomplice and our men had to disguise themselves as patients with a view to arrest him,” he said.
Ngalabak further said that the Navy recently arrested no fewer than 10 suspected militants in the creeks and handed them over to the relevant agencies for further actions.