The Nigerian Navy has declared eight security forces operating in the region illegally. According to the report, the illicit outfits are now offering recruitment forms to unsuspecting members of the public and are also providing classified military training for members, particularly in the southwest and south-south areas.
The navy said that the rise of illicit maritime security outfits and their presence could worsen the country’s instability.
Among the prohibited maritime organizations operating illegally are the Nigerian merchant navy, Nigerian merchant navy coastal defense force, Nigerian coast guard, merchant navy maritime academy, Nigerian merchant navy coast guard, maritime security corps, and Nigerian maritime law enforcement agency.
Commodore Ayo-Vaughan, who is the Nigerian Navy’s director of information, said in a statement that the self-awarding maritime security outfits use naval uniform accouterments, including uniforms that mimic naval uniforms to deceive, harass, intimidate, and defraud unsuspecting citizens.
If this is left unchecked, the existence of the illicit security outfits, he said, would have a major effect on national security.