The Nigerian Navy (NN) has noted with dismay the unscrupulous activities of some impostors and self-acclaimed maritime security outfits who make use of naval uniforms and accoutrements including uniforms that resemble naval uniforms to deceive, harass, intimidate, and defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
A signed statement by the Director of Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan made available to Channel Network Afrique, CNA indicates that this outfits go as far as selling recruitment forms to the public and even conduct secret recruitment exercises and training.
He said the activities of these impostors and miscreants are observed to be on the rise notwithstanding 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 firms/outfits.
According to Ayo-Vaughan the Order in Paragraph 2 states that “As from the commencement of this Order, the dissolved and proscribed associations shall not be formed into any new associations by whatever name or title, within the meaning of this Order”.
The Navy Spokesman who noted that the Nigeria Navy in the past had arrested and handed over for prosecution, members of some of the outlawed organizations said their illegal activities have continued unabated in some part of the country particularly the South-south geopolitical zone.
He disclosed that some proscribed maritime outfits operating illegally in the nation are Nigerian Merchant Navy, Nigerian Merchant Navy Coastal Defence Force, Nigerian Coast Guard, Merchant Navy Maritime Academy, Nigerian Merchant Navy Coast Guard Security and Safety Corps, Maritime Security Agency as well as Nigerian Maritime Law Enforcement Agency amongst others.
Ayo-Vaughan further noted that the proliferation of illegal maritime security outfits is worrisome and may worsen the scourge of insecurity in the country with likely grave impact on national security.
“It has therefore become necessary to notify the public and appeal for caution. Relatedly, information about these impostors and illegal maritime outfits should be forwarded to the NN so as to facilitate the arrest of these miscreants” Ayo-Vaughan said.
He however assured that operatives of the NN in conjunction with other Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies will continue to maintain vigilance in order to locate, promptly apprehend and prosecute these miscreants in accordance with the laws of the land.
Members of the public are thus enjoined to report any suspected impostor or fake maritime security personnel to the nearest police station and/or naval base.
While the Naval spokesman advised the general public not to patronise or purchase entry/recruitment forms from these proscribed outfits, the Navy Spokesman further urged them to report any suspicious behaviour of any group of persons or organizations who claim to be personnel of the NN or who are found dressed in or in possession of naval uniforms or similar uniforms and accoutrements including those conducting fake recruitment and naval training.
He further warned that the Nigerian Navy does not sell entry/recruitment forms to the public as is the practice of some of the fraudsters, hence, anyone selling recruitment forms is not a naval personnel but an impostor.
He also warned the perpetrators of the illegalities to desist from such act as the Nigerian Navy as statutorily empowered, will leave no stone unturned in her bid to secure the maritime environment for enhanced security of lives and properties and for the conduct of legitimate maritime commerce as well as related economic activities.
