The Nigerian Navy has foiled an illegal recruitment and training scheme operating outside the framework of recognised law in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and arrested 12 persons comprising six suspected organisers/officials, five recruits or trainees and one cadet of the Merchant Seaman Academy.
The operation was conducted on August 31, 2026, by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS JUBILEE, in collaboration with Headquarters 2 Brigade/Operation THUNDER, 6 Battalion, Nigerian Army, and operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, the Navy said the raid followed credible intelligence on the activities of a purported Nigeria Coast Guard Academy at Uwa West, Essien Udim.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with sister security agencies, has foiled an illegal recruitment and training scheme operating outside the framework of recognised law and regulatory authority, with the potential to defraud unsuspecting members of the public in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
“The operation was conducted on 31 August 2026 by personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) JUBILEE, in collaboration with Headquarters 2 Brigade/Operation THUNDER, 6 Battalion Nigerian Army and operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, following credible intelligence on the activities of a purported Nigeria Coast Guard Academy at Uwa West, Essien Udim LGA,” he said.
