NNS JUBILEE DISCOVERS ILLEGAL RECRUITMENT CENTRE IN ESSIEN UDIM, AKWA IBOM STATE.

Troops 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, have uncovered an illegal recruitment and training centre operating in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

At about 1300 hours on 31 August 2026, following credible intelligence on the suspected illegal recruitment of individuals as provisional cadets of a purported Nigeria Coast Guard Academy at Uwa West, Essien Udim LGA, a joint operation was conducted by troops of NNS JUBILEE, personnel of Headquarters 2 Brigade/Operation THUNDER, 6 Battalion and operatives of the VCRU, Akwa Ibom State Police Command.

The joint team subsequently raided the Merchant Seaman Academy, Essien Udim LGA, which was allegedly being used as a venue for the illegal recruitment and training of cadets into the purported fake agency.

During the operation, a total of 12 suspects were arrested, comprising six officials suspected to be involved in the illegal activity, five recruits/trainees and one Merchant Seaman Academy cadet. The arrested suspects were subsequently handed over to the VCRU, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, for further investigation and necessary legal action.

The successful operation underscores the effectiveness of joint operations and inter-agency synergy in tackling emerging security threats. The coordinated efforts of NNS JUBILEE, the Nigerian Army and the Akwa Ibom State Police Command demonstrated the importance of timely intelligence sharing, coordinated planning and seamless cooperation among security agencies. Such collaboration remains critical to strengthening the collective security architecture, disrupting criminal activities and protecting members of the public from fraudulent and illegal recruitment schemes.