The Nigerian Navy has disrupted an illegal recruitment and training scheme allegedly operating outside the framework of recognised law and arrested 12 persons in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Those arrested comprised six suspected organisers and officials, five recruits or trainees, and one cadet of the Merchant Seaman Academy.
In a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Navy said the operation followed credible intelligence about the activities of a purported Nigeria Coast Guard Academy at Uwa West, Essien Udim.
According to the statement, the joint security team raided the Merchant Seaman Academy, which was allegedly being used as a venue for the unauthorised recruitment and training of individuals presented as provisional cadets of the purported organisation.
The Navy said preliminary findings showed that the recruitment and training activities were neither authorised nor recognised under applicable law, raising concerns that unsuspecting Nigerians could be deceived into joining the scheme. The suspects were handed over to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for further investigation and possible legal action.
Source: Punch