HURIWA Urges Probe Of UK Army Officer Over Alleged Arms Smuggling To Nigeria

A civil rights group, The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged both British and Nigerian authorities to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation into the alleged involvement of a British Army officer in alleged arms trafficking network uncovered by security operatives in Delta State.

In a statement issued in Abuja, HURIWA expressed alarm over the implications of the discovery for Nigeria’s national security and its already strained democratic institutions.

The Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly seized a large cache of weapons during a covert operation near Asaba on 25 April, recovering 50 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action shotguns, and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition. Major Polo was said to have been arrested in Lagos as he attempted to board a flight to the United Kingdom, while several associates were apprehended in Delta State.

HURIWA said the scale of the recovered arms posed a serious threat to the country’s fragile stability, particularly in the Warri Federal Constituency, where political tensions have been escalating in recent months.

The group expressed concern over alleged connections between the British officer and a well-known traditional ruler in Delta State, warning that such a link could indicate a wider plot to incite unrest in the oil-rich Niger Delta region. Warri has been at the centre of disputes following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision mandating the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to carry out a redelineation of wards and polling units.

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“Opposition to lawful democratic processes must never degenerate into violence,” the association stated, stressing that the illegal importation of weapons to interfere with political transitions should be met with the utmost seriousness.

HURIWA has petitioned the British High Commission in Abuja, urging the UK Government to collaborate fully with Nigeria’s security agencies. The group called for an international investigation into the origin and intended destination of the arms, to uncover any transnational network and prevent future trafficking operations.

It also called on British authorities to reaffirm their commitment to democracy, peace, and international law by prosecuting any of their nationals found complicit in attempts to destabilise Nigeria’s sovereignty.

“The UK must show that it remains a reliable global partner in peacekeeping and counterterrorism,” the association said, warning that inaction could embolden others seeking to exploit Nigeria’s vulnerabilities.

The rights group further called on Nigeria’s Department of State Services to ensure the investigation is conducted within the rule of law and that its findings are made public. Transparency, it said, was vital to restoring public trust and deterring future conspiracies.

HURIWA also urged the Nigerian Government to step up intelligence gathering, improve border control, and strengthen diplomatic vigilance to ward off external threats to its internal security.

The group called on citizens to remain alert and report suspicious activities to the authorities, while pledging to continue engaging with stakeholders at home and abroad to ensure justice is served.

“As Nigeria continues to face mounting security threats, safeguarding its democracy requires vigilance, justice, and sustained international cooperation,” HURIWA concluded.