Nigerian Navy Raises Alarm Over Fake Maritime Security Outfits

By: Josie Mudasiru

The Nigerian Navy has expressed dismay over the activities of some unscrupulous impostors, and fake maritime Security organisations that use of Naval Uniforms and accoutrements.

In a Press Statement by the Director Of Information, Commodore Adedayo Ayo-Vaughan, the Uniforms are made to resemble that Naval Uniforms to deceive, harrass, intimidate and defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

Some of this Fake Outfits go as far as selling recruitment Forms, and even conduct secret recruitment and training.

According to the Statement, the activities of these impostors and miscreants appeared to be on the rise inspite of the proscription order of The Federal Government of Nigeria Official Gazette No.58 Vol.100 titled ” The Dissolution and Proscription of Certain Associations Order, 2013″, banning all such Outfits.

In the past, the Nigerian Navy had arrested and handed over for prosecution members of some of these illegal Security Organisations, but their activities had continued unabated in the Country; especially the South- South Geopolitical Zone.

Some of these proscribed maritime groups include Nigerian Merchant Navy, Nigerian Merchant Navy Coastal Defence Force, Nigerian Coast Guard and Merchant Navy Maritime Academy. Others are Nigerian Merchant Navy Coast Guard Security and Safety Corps, Maritime Security Agency and Nigerian Maritime law Enforcement Agency amongst others.

The Nigerian Navy deems it necessary to inform members of the Public to be cautious and give information on these impostors to the Nigerian Navy so as to facilitate their arrest.

Law Enforcement Agencies will continue to maintain vigilance in order to locate, apprehend and prosececute these miscreants in accordance to the law.

Nigerian Navy does not sell forms to the public, hence anyone selling recruitment Forms is not a Naval Staff but an impostor.

The perpetrators of these illegalities are warned that the Nigerian Navy is poised to secure the maritime environment, enhanced Security of lives and properties for the conduct of legitimate maritime commerce as well as related economic activities, the statement added.