During a secret operation in Asaba, Delta State, the Department of State Services (DSS) retrieved more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition, 50 AK-47 rifles, and six pump-action shotguns.
Additionally, an Itsekiri serving in the British Army (name withheld) was detained by the CIA after he allegedly obtained the weapons at Collins’ request.
On Friday evening, various DSS sources verified that the principal suspect, a British Army Major, and many associates were captured by DSS Delta Command agents in relation to the illicit arms shipment.
According to reports, the British army officer was stopped in Lagos just before he boarded a trip to the UK, while his colleagues were captured in Asaba.
According to one source, “An Itsekiri who was in the British Army is accused of obtaining weapons and ammunition at the request of one Collins in order to cause disturbances in Warri.”
“” DSS Delta Command agents captured the arms dealer and a number of colleagues after a clandestine encounter in Delta State, close to Asaba. They confiscated more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition, six pump-action shotguns, and more than 50 AK-47 rifles.
“” The British Major was soon stopped by DSS officials in Lagos while attempting to enter the Nigerian border on his way to the UK.
“All suspects are currently being held by DSS.” If someone is discovered to be planning tribal confrontations, the DSS will conduct a thorough and open inquiry and hold them accountable.
There are rumors that the weapons were acquired by people who disagreed with the Warri Federal Constituency’s ward and polling unit boundaries.
The issue is also being carefully probed in relation to a prominent traditional ruler.
The report on the ward and voting unit demarcation in the Warri Federal Constituency was previously provided to the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic nationalities by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Etekamba Umoren, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner and INEC chairman’s representative, stated during the presentation in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, that the Supreme Court’s December 22, 2022, ruling, which mandated that the Commission carry out the exercise, was the reason behind the new ward and polling unit delineation fieldwork.
Chief Victor Okumagba, Dr. Andrew Igban, and Dr. Joe Bisina received copies of the demarcation report on behalf of the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic groups, respectively.
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During the meeting, the INEC chairman stated that this was the sixth time the stakeholders had been consulted since the ruling of the Supreme Court, which ordered the Commission to conduct the exercise in the three local government districts of the Warri Federal Constituency itself.
In accordance with the Supreme Court’s decision, he encouraged the interested parties to read the report and provide relevant feedback, as the Commission was prepared to accept it as a working document.
Though certain stakeholders and groups are against the exercise, the planned delineation has increased tension in the state.
Numerous Ijaw youths recently demonstrated in favor of the exercise by marching to the INEC headquarters in Abuja.
The INEC demarcation process, according to the Gbaramatu, Egbema, Diebiri, and Isaba villages, was fair and consistent with the ruling of the Supreme Court.
Following years of political marginalization of the Ijaw people in the constituency, they praised INEC for what they saw as a transparent process.
