Navy arrests two military impersonators in Calabar

By Ehigimetor Igbaugba

Calabar, March 16, 2026 (NAN) The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) VICTORY has arrested and handed over two suspected military impersonators to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Cross River for investigation.

Lt.-Cdr Suleiman Bala, Spokesman of the NNS VICTORY, made the disclosure in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Monday. 

He said the suspects, Mr Aleji David and Mr Mr Isaac Francis, were handed over for investigation and prosecution following their arrest on Tuesday, March 20, 2026. 

The Naval spokesman said the suspects were apprehended dressed in military camouflage and were in possession of fake military identification cards. 

He noted that preliminary investigation revealed that David was parading himself as a Nigerian Navy Lieutenant while Isaac was impersonating a Midshipman. 

"Both of them claimed to be personnel serving onboard Nigerian Navy Ship SAGBAMA. A subsequent search carried out at their residence led to the recovery of additional military-related items, including a jungle hat and a pair of boots.

"Investigation also revealed that David was the mastermind. He had previously received some level of training at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria at Oron. 

"He reportedly recruited Francis who stays with him at the residence of his (David) father. 

"The suspects further admitted that the camouflage vest, jungle hat, and boots were purchased while the identity cards were produced by them," he explained. 

Bala concluded that the suspects were handed over to the SCID in line with extant procedures for further investigation and possible prosecution.

(NAN)