The Provisional Committee of the proposed Nigerian Coast Guard (PC-NCG) has issued a strong public warning to all individuals, associations and groups parading as an operational Nigerian Coast Guard to immediately cease all unauthorised activities.
The Committee said it had observed with concern a surge of persons who were never part of the Coast Guard establishment process, but who upon seeing favourable developments, suddenly declared themselves as the Nigerian Coast Guard, opening commands, allocating ranks, conducting recruitment, training, and issuing identity cards and appointments.
In a statement issued by the Director of Communication & Public Affairs, Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo on behalf of the Chief Executive and Accounting Officer, Captain Noah Ichaba, the PC-NCG clarified that the Nigerian Coast Guard remains a proposed institution.
“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.
“No one acquires statutory status merely by adopting the name, wearing a uniform, or proclaiming themselves as the institution,” the Committee stated.
The Committee referenced the August, 31, 2026 operation in Akwa Ibom State where 12 persons were arrested for allegedly running an unauthorised recruitment and training scheme under the name of the Nigerian Coast Guard, and the subsequent arrest and prosecution of 5 others in September 2026 in the same state.
The statement said the Nigerian Navy confirmed the activities were outside recognized law 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,” PC-NCG warned.
The organisation further declared that ranks obtained through private declaration, financial contribution, gifts, personal loyalty, or self-allocation do not become statutory government ranks.
A future Nigerian Coast Guard established by law will have a proper statutory framework for 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 join the lawful process.
“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.”
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. No Blue Economy Without Blue Security and Blue Justice.
