Army Arrests Personnel With Ammunition, Grenades Concealed In Bag Of Rice

The Nigerian Army has confirmed that a soldier, Lance Cpl. Mubarak Yakubu has been arrested with 756 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and four 36 hand grenades, ingeniously concealed in a small bag of rice in Maiduguri, Borno State.

The soldier was arrested during a routine search operation by the Military Police K9 Team in Maiduguri, Borno.

A statement on Thursday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, explained that Yakubu was arrested with illegal ammunition and explosives.

The statement said, “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 the Nigerian Army’s zero-tolerance policy towards any form of illegal activity or contravention of military regulations by its personnel.

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“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.”

Nwachukwu said the arrest also underscores the army’s zero-tolerance of any form of illegal activity or contravention of military regulations by personnel.

He assured the public that the army would continue to act decisively in maintaining discipline within its ranks and ensuring the security of all Nigerians.