Nigerian Navy has declared 43 ratings who absconded in Europe wanted for desertion.
Already, the naval authorities has issued a circular containing the names and photographs of the deserters and displayed at the Navy Headquarters in Abuja.
The circular also requested anyone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the wanted ratings to report to the nearest naval facility or police station.
It also mandated all naval personnel with information on the whereabouts of the missing ratings to arrest them or risk being dealt with “as an accomplice.”
It was learnt that the ratings, who were serving on naval vessels on foreign missions, absconded when their ships berthed in Europe.
According to the circular, “Above are the Nigerian Navy personnel who have deserted from Service recently.
“Accordingly, you are please requested to assist in providing useful information that will lead to their arrest or you may apprehend any one of them when seen and hand over to the nearest Nigerian Navy base or security station.”
It also also provided contact telephone numbers, where information relating to the movement of the wanted ratings could be relayed.
Some of the deserted officers, according to the circular, include L.O. Chiegboka, E. S. Anthony, A. Yusuf, I. E. Brown, S. C. Adiele, K. Armstrong, A. Hassan and G. Osazuwa.
Nigerian Navy Director of Information, Suleiman Dahun, could not be reached for comments.