British Army Major Arrested in Nigeria: A British Army Major has been detained by Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) for suspected involvement in arms smuggling.
On April 25, during a covert operation near Asaba, the DSS reportedly uncovered a substantial stockpile of firearms, including 50 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action shotguns, and over 3,000 rounds of ammunition.
Major Polo was apprehended in Lagos while attempting to board a flight to the United Kingdom, and several of his associates were also arrested in Delta State.
The British High Commission has denied media allegations suggesting that an active member of the UK Armed Forces is implicated in an illegal arms procurement scheme in Nigeria.
In an official statement, a spokesperson from the High Commission emphasised that the individual mentioned in the media reports is not a current member of the UK military.
“The individual highlighted in the recent Nigerian media coverage is not serving in the UK Armed Forces,” the statement indicated.
Additionally, the Commission disclosed that the person in question had previously held a junior rank in the UK Armed Forces Reserves and has since been discharged.
It was confirmed that this individual did not hold any commissioned officer status during service.
Due to obligations under common law and the UK’s Data Protection Act, the Commission stated it is unable to disclose further personal information regarding current or former military personnel.
The statement concluded, “The individual in question did serve as a junior rank in the UK Armed Forces Reserves but has been discharged.”
Meanwhile a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria has urged the British Government to fully cooperate with Nigerian authorities in conducting a thorough investigation into the activities of a British Army Major who was arrested for allegedly attempting to procure illegal arms aimed at escalating tensions in Delta State.
In a letter sent to the British High Commissioner in Abuja on April 28, 2025, the coalition emphasized the urgent necessity of investigating Major Micah Polo’s actions and any possible connections he may have with groups seeking to incite unrest in Nigeria.
The letter was co-signed by Dr. Nwambu Gabriel, the coalition leader; Zekeri Momoh-Saliu, Secretary; Mohammed Idris, Member; and Hugo Okafor, Member.
After submitting the letter to the British High Commission in Abuja, Dr. Gabriel reiterated the importance of such collaboration for maintaining security and democratic stability in the region.
The coalition includes organisations such as the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, Coalition for Democratic Watchdogs, Initiative for Voter Awareness and Electoral Reforms, and the Global Centre for Conscience Living Against Corruption.
The CSOs also called on the British Government to enhance efforts in tracing the origins of the firearms and ammunition that were seized to avoid similar incidents in the future. They highlighted the necessity of thorough background checks on arms trafficking routes and stricter controls on military assets to prevent their diversion for illegal activities.
Moreover, the coalition requested ongoing support from the United Kingdom for Nigeria’s initiatives aimed at ensuring peace and security, especially in regions historically prone to conflict. They underscored that external support and vigilance are vital for strengthening Nigeria’s internal security framework in light of increasing concerns regarding politically and ethnically motivated violence.
The civil society groups further demanded that any UK nationals found to be involved in illegal arms procurement and trafficking in Nigeria be held accountable under British and international law. They cautioned that failure to take decisive action could lead to further violations and jeopardise the bilateral relationship between the two nations.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the weapons were reportedly procured to incite unrest in Warri, Delta State, against the backdrop of tensions arising from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s delineation of wards and polling units.
This situation followed a Supreme Court ruling on December 2, 2022, which reportedly provoked anger among certain local factions.
The Major is alleged to have significant connections with a well-known first-class traditional ruler in Delta State, raising substantial concerns about the involvement of influential figures in exacerbating local conflicts.
The discovery of the arms cache, coupled with the Major’s alleged high-profile connections, has intensified fears of a deliberate effort to destabilise the region.
The CSOs highlighted the implications of this incident, noting that it not only reflects a troubling trend in the illegal flow of arms but also raises concerns regarding the potential compromise of professional standards within the British military.
They asserted that the presence of foreign military personnel engaged in illegal activities within Nigeria necessitates immediate and decisive action.
The organisations stressed that prompt cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom is essential for ensuring accountability, curbing the proliferation of arms, and upholding the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
