The Nigerian Navy has declared eight security outfits that are conducting secret recruitment exercises as operating illegally in the country.
It said the illegal outfits are now selling recruitment forms to unsuspecting members of the public as well as conducting secret military training for members, particularly in the South-West and South-South regions.
The Navy said the increasing number of the illegal maritime security outfits and their presence might worsen the state of insecurity in the country.
It named some of the proscribed maritime outfits operating illegally as the 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.
Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Ayo-Vaughan, in a statement said 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.
He said the existence of the illegal security outfits if allowed to go unchecked would have grave impact on national security.
Vaughan, who noted with dismay the increasing number of the illegal security outfits, stated that their presence might worsen the state of insecurity in the country.
According to him, the activities of the 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.
