Abuja, Nigeria – The British High Commission has clarified that the Nigerian man recently arrested for alleged gun running in Delta State is not a commissioned officer in the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces.
Earlier reports indicated that the Department of State Services (DSS) intercepted a large cache of weapons—57 AK-47 rifles, other firearms, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition—allegedly smuggled into the country by a UK-based suspect described as a “Major” in the British Army.
In response, the Ijaw Youths Network commended the DSS for the arrest and called on the British government to investigate the matter.
However, a spokesperson for the British High Commission in Nigeria stated on Wednesday that the suspect in question is not a serving member of the UK military.
“The individual identified in recent Nigerian media reporting is not a serving member of the UK Armed Forces,” the spokesperson said. “He previously served in the UK Armed Forces Reserves as a junior rank and was discharged. At no time was he a commissioned officer.”
The High Commission emphasized its commitment to privacy laws, noting: “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.”
They urged media outlets to ensure accurate reporting and to direct future inquiries regarding UK personnel to the High Commission’s Press and Public Affairs team.
