The Police in Lagos say they have uncovered an illegal military camp code-named Nigeria Marchant Navy in Ogudu area of the State.
The Police added that107 suspects, including one of their commanders, have been arrested, while several military accouterments including camouflages, barges of ranks, signboards, and identity cards were recovered from the camp.
Other items recovered include recruitments letters, promotion letters and a portrait of the commanding officer, two motorcycles, a plasma Television set, three cutlasses, charms, and other items.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, who paraded the suspects at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja, on Wednesday, said the Nigeria Marchant Navy had since been outlawed by the Federal government, hence it is illegal for anyone to operate such a military outfit, giving military training to unsuspecting Young Nigerians was not a good thing for the country.
“This trend portends danger for our nation and a threat to peace and security, it, therefore, beholds on us as a law enforcement agency to enforce such law banning activities of the illegal military outfit.
He added that “on November 10, at about 11 am, the Lagos State Police Command raided the illegal training camp of the Marchant Navy located at Ogudu sand field area. We were able to arrest the commanding officer, Sunday Dakare, in company with his members who were undergoing military training.”
He said the real owner of the camp, simply identified as Agaba, is on the run.
One of the commanders, Sunday Dakare, reportedly said:” Marchant Navy is a recorgnised organization worldwide. We are presently clamouring for the Federal government to recorgnise us as it did to The Civil Defence Corps. I don’t know why the police are after us. We know the security challenges confronting Nigeria, so we are trying to assist security agencies. Well, it may interest you to know that that the issue of the Marchant Navy is before the National Assembly. It has gone through the first and second readings. I don’t know why the government is after us, because we have not committed any crime. We did not steal and we did not kill anyone.”