Merchant Navy camp was raided and criminals masquerading as Naval men were arrested by the Lagos police
By Uzor Odigbo
The Lagos State Police has arrested one Sunday Dakare posing as the Commanding Officer of the outlawed Merchant Navy, alongside 107 trainees, after raiding its illegal training camp in Ogudu Sand Field area of the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, who made this known during a media briefing at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja said that the effort was towards curtailing activities of the Merchant Navy or similar outfits operating in the state.
He said: “I wish to further inform you that there has been credible actionable intelligence on the illegal activities of the Merchant Navy following which the Command embarked on intensive surveillance on the camp and its activities therein.
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“Consequent upon intensive monitoring of the camp, and its operators, the Command carried out a well-coordinated overt operation at the training camp at the early hour of today”.
CP Odumosu revealed that during the raid, the police recovered several military accoutrements such as camouflage; badges of ranks; flag; signboard and ID cards.
Other recovered items include: recruitment letters, promotion letters, portrait of the Commanding Officer, two motorcycles, one plasma TV, three cutlasses, criminal charms and other items.
Odumosu further said: “In the course of interrogation, it was discovered that the Nigerian Merchant Navy also called the COASTAL DEFENCE FORCE has been operating illegally since 2005.
“Recall that the Nigerian Merchant Navy has since been outlawed by the Federal Government hence it is illegal for anyone to operate such a military outfit giving military training to unsuspecting young Nigerians.
“This trend portends danger for our Nation and a threat to peace and security. It therefore behoves on us as a law enforcement agency to enforce such law banning activities of the illegal military outfit”.
The Police boss warned other individuals or groups still operating such illegal outfit in any part of the state to close it forthwith.
“Anyone nursing the plan to operate such outlawed security outfit is advised in his own interest to rescind the decision or face the full wrath of the law. The police will not hesitate to clamp down on them and their operators and bring them to book”.
He urged members of the public with useful information about any one operating a clandestine military outfit or training camp to inform the police for urgent necessary action