Eleven suspects have been arrested for allegedly parading themselves as naval personnel.

Out-going Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, Commodore Sanusi Ibrahim, said this while handing over the suspects to the Rivers Police Command in Port Harcourt, saying the men used navy uniforms and paraded themselves as personnel of the Merchant Navy with intent to defraud unsuspecting individuals and companies.

According to him, the suspects were caught in the act by operatives of the Nigerian Air Force who reported the matter to the navy.

Ibrahim, represented by Lieutenant-Commodore Ayi Archinbong, Regulating Officer of NNS Pathfinder, said the organisation was fictitious and had been operating illegally in Port Harcourt for a long period of time.

He said the group’s activities had tarnished the image of the navy, adding that troops were currently on the trail of leaders of the organisation to bring them to justice.

Ibrahim urged the public to provide information to security agencies that would lead to the arrest of criminals, assuring that the identity of the informant would be kept in utmost confidentiality.

The suspects were later handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department of the Rivers Police Command for further investigation and possible arraignment in court.