Lagos police raid training camp, arrest 108 naval impersonators

No fewer 108 suspects allegedly impersonating men and officers of the Nigerian Navy have been arrested by men and officers and the Nigerian Police Force.

The state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, said the suspects were arrested during a raid on their training camp in the Ogudu-Sanfield area of the state on Wednesday.

The CP said, “On November 10, 2021, around 11am, the Lagos State Police Command raided the illegal training camp of the Merchant Navy located in the Ogudu-Sandfield area, Lagos State, and arrested the Commanding Officer, Sunday Dakare, 47, together with 107 suspects currently on training.

“I wish to 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 of the camp and its activities therein. Consequent upon intensive monitoring of the camp and its operators, the command carried out a well-coordinated overt operation at the training camp in the early hours of today.

“During the raid, which was coordinated by the operations department of the command, the following items were recovered: several military accoutrements, including camouflage badges of ranks, a flag, a signboard and ID cards. Other items recovered include recruitment letters, promotion letters, a portrait of the commanding officer, two motorcycles, one plasma TV, three cutlasses, criminal charms and other items.”

He said the police, however, discovered that the group had been operating illegally since 2005.

“This trend portends danger for our nation and a threat to peace and security. It, therefore, behoves us as a law enforcement agency to enforce the law banning activities of the illegal military outfit. I want to use this medium to warn other individuals or groups still operating such illegal outfits in any part of the state to close it forthwith.

“The police will not hesitate to clamp down on them and their operators and bring them to book,” he added.

The CP, who urged members of the public to be wary of people posing as military personnel to carry out illegal operations in the state.