Nigeria military police team have arrested a soldier who hide illegal firearms inside a small bag of rice in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Nigerian Army in a news release signed and made available by the army spokesperson, Major General Nwachukwu Onyema, indicated that the illegal firearms included grenades.

The army statement reads in quote thus: “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 and explosives during a routine search operation by the Military Police K9 Team, at the Borno Express Terminal in Maiduguri, Borno State.

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 Nigerian Army’s zero-tolerance policy towards any form of illegal activity or contravention of military regulations by its personnel.

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 NA wishes to assure the public that it will continue to act decisively to maintain discipline within its ranks and ensure the security of all Nigerians. The soldier in question is currently in custody and a thorough investigation has commenced to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding this incident and to apply the appropriate disciplinary measures.

This proactive measure by the Military Police K9 Team reflects Nigerian Army’s relentless vigilance and its proactive approach to enforcing compliance with military laws and regulations. The Nigerian Army remains committed to its role as a professional military organization dedicated to the service of our nation and the protection of its citizenry”.

Meanwhile, the Headquarters Theatre Command Operation, Hadin Kai (OPHK) has on Thursday 9 May 2024, handed over a rescued Chibok girl, Lydia Simon, and her three children to the Borno State Government in Maiduguri.

“During the handover ceremony, the Theatre Commander, Major General Waidi Shaibu, briefed newsmen on the significance of the event, recalling that the 2014 abduction of the Chibok girls sparked national and international outrage, culminating in the “Bring Back Our Girls” campaign. He highlighted the military’s efforts to rescue the girls, including operations within terrorists’ enclaves, which have yielded positive results.

General Shaibu reaffirmed the Theatre’s commitment to rescuing those still in captivity, in line with the strategic guidance of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja. He also expressed gratitude to the Chief of Army Staff for resourcing the theatre and to all stakeholders for their unwavering support.

While providing details of the rescue, Brigadier General Abubakar Haruna, Acting General Officer Commanding, (GOC) 7 Division, Nigerian Army, stated that Lydia and her children were rescued on 17 April 2024 by troops of OPHK in Gwoza Local Government Area, following a continuous siege on the Mandara mountains. He added that Lydia and her children have received medical examination and proper care since their rescue.

The handover ceremony was attended by representatives from the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Youth Development, Component Commanders, Formation Commanders, and Staff Officers from Headquarters Theatre Command and 7 Division Nigerian Army”, the Nigerian army news release reads in quote as presented by Captain Reuben Kovangiya, the acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations of Headquarters Theatre Command on Thursday.

In another development, Troops of the Nigerian Army deployed for counter terrorism operations in Kaduna State in what the army described as a daring response to actionable intelligence have neutralized some terrorists and thwarted the activities of violent extremists and abduction of farmers in Giwa Local Government Area of the state.

“The operation, which targeted the terrorists” stronghold in Basurfe village, southwest of Kidandan, was conducted after intelligence confirmation that the terrorists were using the village as their administrative refuge. As troops approached the village, they were met with an ambush but the troops with tactical prowess, fought their way through, forcing the insurgents to scatter in various directions.

In the heat of the confrontation, troops spotted some of the terrorists attempting to escape the area on motorbikes and effectively engaged them, neutralizing two terrorists. The valiant troops also captured two AK-47 rifles, three magazines and a motorbike.

The operation further gained momentum as the troops discovered the insurgents’ administrative refuge, situated on a strategic high ground. The troops launched a ferocious onslaught and dislodged the enclave leading to seizure of a Semi Automatic Pump-action rifle, 16 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), two Baofeng communication radio sets and a bag containing medical supplies, tobacco hand gloves and face masks. The area was also identified as a medical center for treatment of wounded terrorists.

The operation underscores NA’s commitment to combating terrorism and ensuring the restoration of peace and stability in Kaduna State and the nation at large’, the army stated in quote.