A soldier, Lance Cpl. Mubarak Yakubu, has been arrested with 756 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and four 36 hand grenades, ingeniously concealed in a small bag of rice in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The soldier was arrested with illegal ammunition and explosives during a routine search operation by the Military Police K9 Team in Maiduguri, Borno.
“The soldier, Lance Corporal Mubarak Yakubu, was found in possession of 756 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and four 36 hand grenades, ingeniously concealed within a small bag of rice. This arrest underscores the Nigerian Army’s zero-tolerance policy towards any form of illegal activity or contravention of military regulations by its personnel,” the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, said in a statement on Thursday.
“Preliminary investigation has revealed that the soldier had been de-inducted from active theatre operations in March 2024 and was undergoing de-induction training at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry. The soldier was on a welfare pass from Jaji to Kaduna and Adamawa from April 30, 2024, to May 13, 2024, when the arrest took place.”
The Nigerian Army (NA) in its commitment to uphold the highest standards of conduct and ethics expected of its personnel has apprehended a personnel for illegal possession of ammunition… pic.twitter.com/5W4TTbS7KF
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) May 9, 2024
Nwachukwu said the arrest also underscores the army’s zero-tolerance of any form of illegal activity or contravention of military regulations by personnel.
He assured the public that the army would continue to act decisively in maintaining discipline within its ranks and ensuring the security of all Nigerians.