Gun runner arrested by DSS not serving member of UK Armed Forces – British High Commission
The British High Commission has said a man arrested by the operatives of Department of State Service (DSS) at Murtala International Airport in Lagos is not a serving member of the UK Armed Forces. Last weekend, media reports said an Itsekiri man serving in a foreign army is alleged to have procured weapons and ammunition […]
The British High Commission has said a man arrested by the operatives of Department of State Service (DSS) at Murtala International Airport in Lagos is not a serving member of the UK Armed Forces.
Last weekend, media reports said an Itsekiri man serving in a foreign army is alleged to have procured weapons and ammunition at the behest of one Collins to instigate unrest in Warri, Delta State.
The reports said 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, according to the reports, DSS agents in Lagos intercepted the army major as he tried to cross Nigeria’s border en route to the United Kingdom.
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But the British High Commission has said the media reports concerning an individual allegedly linked to the UK Armed Forces in connection with illegal arms procurement in Nigeria is not factual.
The commission in a statement on Wednesday said: “The individual identified in recent Nigerian media reporting is not a serving member of the UK Armed Forces.”
It said the individual identified did serve as a junior rank in the UK Armed Forces Reserves but was discharged.
“Whilst in the Reserves he was a junior rank not a commissioned officer. We have a common law and Data Protection Act duty to protect the personal details of our current and former employees and are therefore not able to release any additional information in this matter. We kindly request that this statement be reflected in your reporting to ensure factual accuracy,” the High Commission said.