The British High Commission in Nigeria has issued a statement refuting media reports that a serving member of the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces is involved in an alleged illegal arms procurement operation in the country.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the High Commission clarified that the individual identified in recent Nigerian media coverage is not currently serving in the UK military.
“The individual identified in recent Nigerian media reporting is not a serving member of the UK Armed Forces,” a spokesperson for the High Commission stated.
Further details provided by the Commission revealed that the person in question previously held a junior rank in the UK Armed Forces Reserves but has since been discharged. It was also confirmed that the individual did not hold the status of a commissioned officer during their time in service.
Citing legal obligations under common law and the UK’s Data Protection Act, the High Commission stated it was unable to release further personal information about current or former personnel.
The statement reiterated, “The individual identified did serve as a junior rank in the UK Armed Forces Reserves but was discharged. Whilst in the Reserves, he was a junior rank, not a commissioned officer.”
The High Commission’s statement follows reports in Nigeria’s PUNCH newspaper alleging that a British Army officer, named as Major Micah Polo, was recruited to procure weapons intended to fuel tribal tensions in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
Nigerian Department of State Services (DSS) operatives reportedly foiled the alleged operation, arresting an arms supplier in Delta State and confiscating a significant cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles and ammunition. The reports also stated that the individual identified as Polo was intercepted in Lagos while attempting to fly to the UK, with other alleged associates apprehended in Asaba.
Following these reports, a delegation of Niger Delta stakeholders and civil society organisations reportedly protested at the British High Commission, demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged involvement of the former UK reservist and calling for cooperation with the DSS to identify any other potential collaborators.
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