The Provisional Committee of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG) has ordered an immediate halt to unauthorised recruitment, training and other activities being carried out in the name of the Nigerian Coast Guard nationwide.
The committee also warned individuals and groups against using the name of the proposed institution to recruit personnel, issue ranks and identity cards, collect money or falsely present themselves as an operational Nigerian Coast Guard.
Key Highlights
- PC-NCG orders an immediate halt to fake Nigerian Coast Guard recruitment nationwide.
- Committee warns against unauthorised recruitment, training and issuance of identity cards.
- Private allocation or sale of ranks does not constitute a government appointment.
- PC-NCG says the Nigerian Coast Guard remains a proposed institution.
- Committee cites arrests linked to alleged unauthorised Coast Guard recruitment in Akwa Ibom.
- Groups involved in false representation have been urged to disengage from the activities.
In a statement issued by the Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Dr Piriye Kiyaramo, on behalf of the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer, Captain Noah Ichaba, the PC-NCG said the Nigerian Coast Guard remains a proposed institution.
The committee said it had observed a rise in the activities of individuals and groups who were not part of the Coast Guard establishment process but had allegedly begun presenting themselves as the Nigerian Coast Guard following what it described as favourable developments.
According to the committee, some of the groups have opened commands, allocated ranks, conducted recruitment and training exercises, and issued identity cards and appointment letters.
“The Provisional Committee itself is an advocacy and facilitation platform working for its lawful establishment by an Act of the National Assembly, and is not itself the operational Coast Guard,” the committee stated.
It added: “No one acquires statutory status merely by adopting the name, wearing a uniform, or proclaiming themselves as the institution.”
PC-NCG Cites Akwa Ibom Arrests
The PC-NCG referred to an August 31, 2026 operation in Akwa Ibom State, during which 12 persons were arrested for allegedly operating an unauthorised recruitment and training scheme under the name of the Nigerian Coast Guard.
The committee also cited the subsequent arrest and prosecution of five other persons in September 2026 in the state.
It said the Nigerian Navy confirmed that the activities were outside recognised legal and regulatory authority.
“This should serve as a serious warning, not an opportunity for personal advantage. The Coast Guard vision must not be turned into a vehicle for misleading young Nigerians and collecting money under false pretences,” the PC-NCG warned.
The committee further clarified that ranks obtained through private declaration, financial contributions, gifts, personal loyalty or self-allocation do not constitute statutory government ranks.
It said privately issued appointments also do not become government appointments.
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According to the PC-NCG, a future Nigerian Coast Guard established by law would have a statutory framework governing recruitment, training, commissioning, ranks, promotion, discipline and command structure.
“This is not an invitation to conflict, but an invitation to correction,” the committee said, urging those involved to disengage from unlawful activities, preserve their professional dignity and support the lawful establishment process.
The committee added: “The future Nigerian Coast Guard must not become the personal property of any individual or competing faction. It must belong to Nigeria. Its powers, ranks, uniforms, and operations must derive from law.”
The PC-NCG called on all concerned to stop unauthorised recruitment, private commissioning, sale or purchase of ranks, collection of money for appointments and false representation as the operational Nigerian Coast Guard.
The committee concluded with its advocacy message: “No Blue Economy Without Blue Security and Blue Justice.”
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