A major in the British Army (name withheld) and his accomplices have been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in connection with the smuggling into the country of over 50 AK 47 rifles, six pump-action shotguns and over 3,000 rounds of ammunition, The Nation has learnt.
It was gathered that the suspects were picked up in Lagos and Asaba, Delta State Capital.
The Nation gathered that the British army officer, who is of Itsekiri descent, allegedly procured the weapons at the behest of one Collins.
Multiple sources in the agency confirmed over the weekend that the prime suspect, a Major in the British Army, and several of his associates connected with the illegal arms supply have been detained.
The British army officer was reportedly intercepted in Lagos as he attempted to cross Nigeria’s border en route to the United Kingdom, while his associates were apprehended in Asaba.
A source said: ‘’An Itsekiri serving in the British Army is alleged to have procured weapons and ammunition at the behest of one Collins to instigate unrest in Warri.
“During a covert exchange near Asaba in Delta State, operatives from the DSS Delta Command apprehended the arms supplier and several associates, seizing over 50 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action shotguns, and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition.
‘’Shortly thereafter, DSS agents in Lagos intercepted the British Major as he tried to cross Nigeria’s border en route to the United Kingdom.
“All suspects are now in DSS custody. The DSS will carry out a full and transparent investigation and hold anyone found plotting tribal conflicts to account.’’
The Nation gathered that the arms were procured by those allegedly opposed to the delineation of wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency.
A traditional ruler is also being discreetly investigated in connection with the matter, it was learnt.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had earlier presented the report on the delineation of wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency to the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities.
The INEC chairman’s representative, State Resident Electoral Commissioner Etekamba Umoren, at the presentation held in Asaba, the Delta State capital, said that the fresh ward and polling unit delineation fieldwork was prompted by the Supreme Court judgment of December 22, 2022, which ordered it to conduct the exercise.
Copies of the delineation report were received by Chief Victor Okumagba, Dr. Andrew Igban and Dr Joe Bisina on behalf of the Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic nationalities, respectively.
In his address during the meeting, the INEC chairman noted that the meeting was the fifth engagement with the stakeholders since the apex court verdict, which mandated the Commission to carry out the exercise in the three local government areas in the Warri federal constituency.
He urged the stakeholders to study the report and respond to it appropriately, as the commission was ready to adopt the report as a working document in line with the Supreme Court directive.
However, the planned delineation has stoked tension in the state, with some groups and stakeholders opposed to the exercise.
Recently, scores of Ijaw youths marched to the INEC headquarters in Abuja in support of the exercise.
Drawn from the Gbaramatu, Egbema, Diebiri and Isaba communities, they said the INEC delineation exercise was fair and in line with the Supreme Court judgment.
They commended INEC for what they called a transparent process, which they said marked the end of years of political marginalisation of the Ijaw people in the constituency.
It will be recalled also that following the unveiling of the report, the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILoT), at a press briefing in Asaba, Delta State capital, denounced the proposed delineation of wards and polling units by INEC, adding that if the proposed delineation is implemented, it will mark the end of Itsekiri nation politically.
The group’s scribe, Sir Amorighoye Mene, said the Itsekiri ethnic nationality will seek legal redress, describing INEC’s actions as anti-Itsekiri.
Reacting, Itsekiri Leaders of Thought (ILoT) said the discovery, if true, has nothing to do with the proposed delineation exercise.
Its scribe, Sir Amorighoye Mene, who spoke in a telephone interview said: “I can tell you that if this discovery is true, it has nothing to do with the proposed delineation.
“More so, we have met with the National Security Adviser who has assured that government is seriously looking into the matter. So on our own part, there is no anxiety.
“Even our youths, who on the spur of the moment took over some oil facilities, have all been asked to withdraw and they have indeed withdrawn.
“Peace has returned. We are not preparing for any confrontation or struggle, certainly not under President Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
“The President has assured that his administration will address the injustice that has been perpetrated against the Itsekiri nation.
“We keep urging our people to remain peaceful. I repeat, the discovery of arms has nothing to do with the delineation.
“It has not come to that.”
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