Troops of operation
Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested 18 serving soldiers and 15 police officers for
allegedly selling arms to terrorists and other criminal elements.
Speaking at a press
briefing on Wednesday about the activities of troops in the north-east, Ademola
Owolana, a major, said operation snowball, an exercise launched in August 2024
to target ammunition racketeering in the theatre, has recorded successes.
Owolana said the
exercise was conducted across 11 states, with suspects arrested in Bauchi,
Benue, Borno, Ebonyi, Enugu, Lagos, Plateau, Kaduna, Rivers, Taraba and the
federal capital territory (FCT).
He said eight
civilians and one traditional ruler were also arrested over alleged arms
racketeering.
“So far, a total of
18 soldiers, 15 mobile policemen, and eight civilians, including a traditional
ruler, have been arrested,” he said.
Owolana said the
“lucrative” nature of arms racketeering is the driving force behind the illegal
activity.
He noted that Ameh
Raphael, an armourer of the 7th division garrison, who has been engaging in the
act since 2018, had N45 million in his bank account.
He added that Seidi
Adamu of the 3rd division ordnance services, who has also been in the trade
since 2022, had N34 million in his bank account.
He said the
investigation revealed that N135 million passed through the bank account of
Enoch Ngwa, a police inspector, arrested for arms racketeering.
He accused some
non-governmental organisations (NGOs) of conveying additives and food items to
terrorist locations under the guise of humanitarian assistance.
“Additionally, a few
soldiers motivated by greed are involved in ammunition racketeering,
deliberately diverting arms from the military stockpiles and supply chains to
terrorists,” he said.
“Such actions erode
battlefield morale, reduce troops’ effectiveness, and strengthen enemy
resistance.
“The most recent
incident occurred on 24th February this year when a soldier of 144 Battalion
was arrested with 30 rounds of 7.62mm specials at Tashin-Karo Kano by a
military police K-19 on route search operations.
“Consequently, the
theatre has continued to warn troops at all levels of the severe repercussions
and sanctions of ammunition racketeering.
“Those found
culpable have been dismissed and handed over to the police to serve as a
deterrent.”
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com