The Nigerian Navy has taken into custody three individuals who were allegedly plotting to exploit the images of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, in a fraudulent scheme to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians.
The suspects, identified as Oladele Opeyemi Daniel (23), Eriwole Ogunlana (24), and Mubarak Mayegun (24), were apprehended for allegedly planning to use Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla’s pictures to create the false impression that their security outfit, known as the Gallantry Intelligence Corps of Nigeria, was in partnership with the Nigerian Navy.
Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga, the Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft, disclosed in a statement released on Tuesday that the suspects were apprehended during a patrol operation in Isolo, Lagos, on September 1, following reports of their fraudulent activities.
Oguntuga further explained that the suspects were subsequently handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti for further investigation.
He stated, “In a significant development to prevent swindling the general public, the Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft patrol team apprehended three impostors within the vicinity of Isolo, Lagos State.
“This operation, conducted on 1 September 2023, was initiated in response to alarming reports of fraudulent individuals featuring the image of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral EI Ogalla, in printed posters being circulated. The impostors sought to deceive the public into believing that there exists a false collaboration between an illegal security outfit, tagged Gallantry Intelligence Corps of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Navy.
“The arrested suspects were identified as Oladele Opeyemi Daniel (23), Eriwole Ogunlana (24), and Mubarak Mayegun (24). The suspects have been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti on Tuesday, September 5, for in-depth investigation and prosecution.”
Oguntuga also used the opportunity to caution Nigerians against unscrupulous individuals who are attempting to defraud them of their hard-earned money, urging the public to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to such deceitful schemes.
“The Nigerian Navy appeals to the public to be cautious of unscrupulous elements who want to inflict unnecessary hardship by using unpleasant means to lure innocent youths into committing resources for illegitimate employment,” Oguntuga emphasized.