The Nigerian Navy (NN) has lamented what it called proliferation and the worrisome activities of the Nigerian Merchant Navy associations and other maritime outfits in the country, despite the proscription order of the Federal government.
The Navy described the activities of these maritime outfits in the country as fake, worrisome and unscrupulous, even as it alleged that they go about deceiving the members of the public.
This is according to a press statement issued by the Director of Information, Commodore Adedotun Olukayode Ayo-Vaughan. He stated that 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.
The NN listed the proscribed maritime outfits operating illegally in the nation to include: 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, among others.
The Navy spokesperson noted that 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 NN further lamented that some of these outfits go as far as selling recruitment forms to the public and even conduct secret recruitment exercises and training, adding that the self-acclaimed maritime security outfits make use of naval uniforms and accoutrements including uniforms that resemble naval uniforms to deceive, harass, intimidate, and defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
Pertinently, the NN 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.
The NN urged the public to report 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 and accoutrements or similar uniforms and accoutrements including those conducting fake recruitment and naval training.
The force also warned the perpetrators of the illegalities to desist as the NN as the 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.
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