Olayiwola Matthew
The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY has handed over two suspected impersonators of naval personnel to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the Nigeria Police Force in Calabar for further investigation and prosecution.
The suspects, David Norbert Aleji and Francis Gideon Isaac, were arrested on March 10, 2026, after being spotted in military camouflage uniforms and possessing suspected fake military identification cards.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Spokesperson for NNS VICTORY, Lt Cdr Suleiman Bala, said preliminary investigations revealed that Aleji paraded himself as a Nigerian Navy Lieutenant, while Isaac posed as a Midshipman.
Both falsely claimed to be serving onboard NNS SAGBAMA.
Aleji, who reportedly underwent some training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, was identified as the mastermind of the impersonation scheme and had recruited Isaac, who resides with him.
According to the statement, during a search at their residence , the Navy recovered additional military items, including a jungle hat and a pair of boots.
The suspects confessed that they purchased the uniforms and accessories and fabricated the identification cards themselves.
The Nigerian Navy reiterated its commitment to protecting the integrity of the Service and urged members of the public to report any acts of impersonation to the relevant authorities.
It stressed that such offences undermine the reputation of the Nigerian Navy and constitute serious criminal acts.
The suspects will remain in police custody pending further action.
