The Nigerian Navy has warned the public that impersonating naval personnel is a criminal offence that undermines the integrity of the service, and urged citizens to report such acts to the appropriate authorities.
The warning followed the handover of two suspected naval impersonators by Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY to the Nigeria Police Force State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Calabar, Cross River State, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
In a statement, the Director of Naval Information, Abiodun Folorunsho, disclosed that the suspects, Mr David Norbert Aleji and Mr Francis Gideon Isaac, were arrested on 10 March 2026 after they were found dressed in military camouflage and in possession of suspected fake military identification cards.
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Preliminary findings revealed that Aleji allegedly presented himself as a Lieutenant in the Nigerian Navy, while Isaac impersonated a Midshipman, with both men falsely claiming to be personnel serving aboard NNS SAGBAMA.
Further investigations indicated that Aleji, who previously received training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron, was the alleged mastermind behind the impersonation scheme and recruited Isaac, who resides with him.
According to the statement, “a search conducted at their residence led to the recovery of additional military-related items, including a jungle hat and a pair of boots.”
The suspects also admitted that they purchased the uniforms and accessories and produced the identification cards used in the impersonation.