The Nigerian Navy on Friday paraded a 25 years old final year student of the Cross River State University of Science and Technology (CRUTECH) for impersonation.
The suspect, James Solomon Nkanu, who claimed to be a midshipman in the Nigerian Navy was, arrested by men of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Victory in Calabar on Jan.23.
Commander, NNS Victory, Julius Nwagu, while parading the suspect, said aside from being dressed in Navy camouflage, Nkanu was in possession of fake Nigerian Navy identity card, copies of NN recruitment forms, credentials of suspected victims and other items.
He said, “Mr James Solomon Nkanu, aged 25, was arrested on Wednesday 23 Jan 19 at Eta Agbor, Calabar, by men of NNS Victory for an alleged case of impersonation. Aside from being dressed in Navy camouflage, he was caught in possession of fake Nigerian Navy identity card, copies of NN recruitment forms and credentials of suspected victims as well as three different ATM cards belonging to himself and two other suspected accomplices.
“He even claimed to be operating from the office of the Chief of the Naval Staff in Calabar, which is not true. Prior to his arrest, the suspect an acclaimed final year student of the Cross River State University of Science and Technology (CRUTECH) was alleged to have paraded himself as a midshipman (a naval officer) in the Nigerian Navy. Surprisingly, even his family members thought he was a naval personnel on study leave. The suspect during interrogation voluntarily confessed to the alleged offences.
“During preliminary investigations, it was revealed that the suspect procured a fake NN identity card from a business centre at Eta Agbor, hence, my men had to go after the operators of the business centre. Consequently, the computer set used for the production of the fake NN identity card was confiscated as exhibit in support of the case against the suspect.
“Let me use this opportunity to assure members of the public that the NN does not charge a dime for its recruitment exercise. Therefore anybody demanding for money so as to assist in NN recruitment is an impostor. Similarly, you are enjoined to be wary of fake military personnel, especially during the forthcoming general elections. Please, you are requested to report any of such imposters to the security agencies for appropriate action.
“The suspect will be handed over the Nigeria Police for necessary action in line with extant regulations.”