Nigerian Navy nab fake soldier

The Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS Jubilee, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, has arrested a fake soldier, Mr. Ishaya Vandi, for illegal possession of refined petrol and a Nigerian Army identity card.

Naija News gathered that the 42 year old suspect, an indigene of Adamawa State, has been handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, for prosecution.

Information obtained by Punch reveals that the Vandi was arrested by a combined patrol team of the Navy Op THUNDER on a routine patrol along the Port Harcourt/Ogoni/IkotAbasi road. The suspect was driving a navy blue express Chevrolet van with a foreign number plate, QUEBEC FFV 3920, conveying 31 30-litre jerrycans and 60 cellophane bags of illegally-refined petrol when he was arrested.

It was gathered that he was also in possession of a fake Nigerian Army identity card with the name, LCPL Nwalieji Emmanuel, and service number, 98NA/46/2298-82/2, as well as serial no 40123.

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The Commander of the NNS Jubilee, Commodore Saidu Garba, who was represented by Lt. Comdr. Murktala Yunusa, said the handing over of the suspect to the NSCDC was in accordance with the extant laws.

“The Nigerian Navy recognises the jurisdiction and constitutional role of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. In view of the foregoing, I am directed to request you to take over the suspect for further investigation and possible prosecution. I am to further request that you keep the Base informed on the outcome.

“In continuation of the battle against illegalities, it is my humble wish to ensure and see that we rid the society of any form of illegality. There is zero tolerance for illegality on our waterways and land,” he said.

The suspect, who admitted to the crime, said he bought the vehicle he used for his operations on hire purchase for N3m.

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He confessed that he had been involved in the business for over a month, and bought the seized product in Port Harcourt and was heading for Abak in Akwa Ibom State when he was arrested.

“I invested about N267,000 in the business. I got into the business in order to survive. I used to sell recharge cards before I entered the business,” he added.

The trial officer of the NSCDC in Ikot Abasi, Mr. Abel Ojimba, while receiving the suspect on behalf of the state commandant hailed the navy in its efforts to curb vandalism and sea robbery.

“We wish to applaud the efforts of the Nigerian Navy in the area of tackling sea robbery and vandalism. I stand here on behalf of the state commandant of the NSCDC to assure the Nigerian Navy that we will always do the needful in making sure that due process is followed in the court of law,” he said.