By Frank Ulom

CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY has handed over two suspected naval impersonators to the Nigeria Police Force State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Calabar, Cross River State, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by Lt. Cdr. Suleiman Bala, the suspects, Mr David Norbert Aleji and Mr Francis Gideon Isaac, were arrested on 10 March 2026, after they were found dressed in military camouflage and in possession of suspected fake military identification cards.

Preliminary findings revealed that David Aleji allegedly paraded himself as a Nigerian Navy Lieutenant while Francis Isaac impersonated a Midshipman, with both falsely claiming to be personnel serving onboard NNS SAGBAMA.

Further investigation revealed that Aleji, who had previously received some form of training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, was the mastermind behind the impersonation scheme and had recruited Isaac, who resides with him.

A search conducted at their residence led to the recovery of additional military-related items including a jungle hat and a pair of boots, while the suspects admitted that the uniforms and accessories were purchased and the identification (ID) cards produced by them.

The Nigerian Navy reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the Service and enjoins members of the public to report such acts of impersonation to the authorities, noting that they constitute criminal offences that undermine the integrity of the Nigerian Navy and bring it into disrepute.

See their faces and fake IDs below: