The Nigerian Navy has arrested 12 people over an alleged illegal recruitment and training scheme in Akwa Ibom State and destroyed two illegal refining sites in Rivers State, recovering 34,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil.
The arrests were made on Monday by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Jubilee, working with the Nigerian Army and Akwa Ibom State Police Command, following intelligence on the activities of a purported Nigeria Coast Guard Academy in Uwa West, Essien Udim Local Government Area.
The joint team raided the Merchant Seaman Academy, which was allegedly being used to recruit and train people presented as provisional cadets of the unauthorised organisation.
According to the Director Naval Information, Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, preliminary findings indicated that the recruitment and training were not authorised or recognised under Nigerian law, raising concerns that unsuspecting applicants were being lured through false representations.
Those arrested comprised six suspected organisers or officials, five recruits or trainees and one cadet.
They were handed over to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Navy urged Nigerians to verify recruitment claims by purported security, maritime or military organisations through appropriate government channels before paying money or sharing personal information.