The Naval Headquarters observed that such impersonation is common with pseudo organisations known as Nigerian Merchant Navy, Merchant Naval Force and Nigerian Sea Scout.
According to a statement released by the Director of Information of the Nigerian Navy, Commodore CHRISTIAN ODOGWU EZEKOBE, the activities of such groups have greatly ruined the good image of the Nigerian Navy.
Commodore EZEKOBE said the pseudo groups recruit unsuspecting civilians, dress them up in Nigerian Navy uniforms and parade them as naval personnel.
He said sixteen persons have been arrested this year alone, including the most recent arrest involving one SUNDAY LIVINUS ANAEFO who had embarked on illegal escort duties along Ibafon-Victoria Island axis in Lagos.
The Naval spokesman said one UKAEGBU LUCKY was also arrested at Agbara general area of Ogun State for posing as a Nigerian Navy personnel.
Commodore EZEKOBE said naval operatives also recently raided and dismantled a camp used by the illegal Merchant Naval Force around Badagry area of Lagos State.
He said persons operating under such illegal group have been found to engage in criminal extortion, intimidation and harassment of unsuspecting members of the public, including agents of government who mistake them for naval personnel.
The statement noted that in view of the current security challenges in the country due to militancy, cult related activities, banditry, piracy, sea robbery, kidnapping and other unwholesome activities, the Nigerian Navy will henceforth massively crackdown on any group that poses as a security risk to the maritime domain and its own operations.
