Navy arrests 5 fake Merchant Navy officers in Lagos

The Commander of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Chris Ezekobe, on Tuesday disclosed that five suspected merchant navy officials had been arrested, parading themselves as naval officers on streets of Lagos.

Parading the suspects, Ezekobe, said that they were recruited and trained at a secret camp, located within the premises of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said that the arrest brought to 59 the number of fake naval officers arrested this year.

The Commander of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Chris Ezekobe, on Tuesday disclosed that five suspected merchant navy officials had been arrested, parading themselves as naval officers on streets of Lagos.

Parading the suspects, Ezekobe, said that they were recruited and trained at a secret camp, located within the premises of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said that the arrest brought to 59 the number of fake naval officers arrested this year.

The commander said that the arrest was jointly carried out by naval personnel, policemen from Bar Beach Police Station and staff of the Eti Osa Local Government Council, following series of complaints from the school authority.

“During the raid, the joint task force accosted a white bus fully loaded with fake naval officers parked in front of the school.

“When interrogated, they claimed that they were on their way to Imo State for a wedding. “

Ezekobe stated that about 53 persons, dressed in full naval uniforms were arrested and handed over to the police, adding that investigation revealed that a lot of atrocities were being committed by the group.

“It was discovered that some people were involved in the illegal recruitment and training of miscreants in weapon handling inside the school premises and that they have had running battle with the school authority.

Ezekobe, however, called on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, to step into the matter, saying that miscreants had taken over the Federal College of Fisheries.