Operatives of the Nigerian Navy deployed by Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY, in Calabar Cross River State, have arrested one Mr. Pius who has been impersonating as an officer of the Nigerian Navy.

According to a statement issued by Navy Director of Information, Commodore Christian Odogwu Ezekobe, the suspect was picked up around Akim Naval barracks on July 7 for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting civilians up to the sum of N330,000.

The suspect was also alleged to have collected another N50,000 in cash from his victims with a promise to help them join the Nigerian Navy.

Investigations have shown that the victims are candidates in the ongoing Nigerian Navy recruitment exercise. Similarly, operatives of Operation Delta Safe have arrested one Prince Moses Ushi at Ughelli North LGA of Delta State. The suspect was picked up on 6 July for impersonating as an officer of the Nigerian Navy.

Further investigation revealed that the impostor had at various times posed as a Lieutenant Commander to extort money from unsuspecting civilians. Items recovered from the suspect include one toy gun, camouflage fez caps, camouflage short and T-shirt, several copies of photographs/ID cards, a horsewhip and a military restriction signpost mounted on his accommodation.

It would be recalled that the Nigerian Navy has alerted the general public on the activities of some criminal syndicates who are collecting money from unsuspecting civilians with a promise to help them join the Nigerian Navy.

In an official press release issued by the Nigerian Navy on 16 March 2016 which was widely published in print and electronic media, the service warned parents, guardians and candidates to be mindful of such transactions as the recruitment exercise is free. The press release then also reminded candidates that recruitment into the Service is by merit.