DSS arrests British Army officer over constituency delineation opposed by some residents
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Up to 50 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action shotguns, and over 3,000 rounds of ammunition have been recovered in Asaba by the Department of State Services (DSS) which also arrested an Itsekiri man serving in the British Army, a Major (name withheld), who allegedly facilitated importation of the arms.
The Major allegedly procured the weapons at the behest of a certain man named Collins. Several of their associates were also arrested in a covert operation carried out by the secret police.
The British Army officer was reportedly intercepted in Lagos as he was about boarding a flight back to the United Kingdom while his associates were nabbed in Asaba.
“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,” a source told Daily Post.
“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.’’
Some stakeholders suspect the arms were procured by those opposed to the delineation of wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency.
A traditional ruler is being discreetly investigated over with the matter, according to sources.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier presented the report on the delineation of wards and polling units in Warri Federal Constituency to the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic nationalities who live in the area.
Delta Resident Electoral Commissioner, Etekamba Umoren, who represented INEC Charman Mahmood Yakubu at the presentation in Asaba, said the new ward and polling unit delineation fieldwork was prompted by the Supreme Court judgment of 22 December 2022 which ordered the INEC to conduct the exercise.
Copies of the delineation report were received by representatives of the ethnic groups – Victor Okumagba (Urobo), Andrew Igban (Isekiri), and Joe Bisina (Ijaw).
In his address at the event, Yakubu said the meeting was the fifth engagement with the stakeholders since the top court verdict, which mandated the INEC to delineate the three council areas in Warri Federal Constituency.
He urged the stakeholders to study the report and respond to it appropriately, as the Commission would adopt the report as a working document in line with the court directive.
However, the planned delineation has stoked tension with some groups opposed to it.
However, scores of Ijaw youths recently marched to INEC headquarters in Abuja in support of the exercise.
The youths, drawn from Gbaramatu, Egbema, Diebiri, and Isaba communities, said the delineation is fair and in line with the Supreme Court judgment.
They commended the INEC for a “transparent process” they said marks the end of years of political marginalisation of the Ijaw in the constituency.
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