The Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY has handed over two suspected military impersonators to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) State Criminal Investigation Department in Calabar.
The suspects, David Novert Aleji and Francis Gideon Isaac, were arrested on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, for posing as Nigerian Navy personnel.
They were found dressed in military camouflage and possessed fake military identification cards.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Aleji was impersonating a Nigerian Navy Lieutenant, while Isaac was posing as a Midshipman, claiming to serve on Nigerian Navy Ship SAGBAMA.
A search of their residence led to the recovery of additional military-related items, including a jungle hat and boots. Aleji, reportedly the mastermind, had received training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, and had recruited Isaac, who was staying with him.
The suspects admitted to purchasing the camouflage vest, jungle hat, and boots, and producing the fake identity cards. They have been handed over to the police for further investigation and possible prosecution.
SIMILARLY, the navy, as part of the ongoing efforts to combat crude oil theft and illegal bunkering under Operation DELTA SENTINEL, has destroyed an illegal crude oil storage site within the Forward Operating Base (FOB) BONNY Area of Operations in Rivers State.
Director of Naval Information, Captain A.A Folorunsho, in a statement, noted that the unit, leveraging the Nigerian Navy’s Maritime Surveillance technology, uncovered concealed dugout pits hidden beneath thick vegetation within creeks in the Opotumbi general area.
He stated that FOB BONNY elements moved swiftly to the site and discovered four dug-out pits containing a cumulative 17,500 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil.
The recovered products were subsequently destroyed in accordance with extant operational guidelines.
“This move demonstrates the Nigerian Navy’s renewed momentum in combating crude oil theft and maritime crimes, emphasising continuous patrols, enhanced surveillance, and inter-agency collaboration to protect critical national assets and Nigeria’s economic interests in maritime,” he said.
In this article