Ijaw youths applaud DSS for arms bust, arrest of UK Army Major in Delta

The Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) has praised the Department of State Services (DSS) following the interception of 57 AK-47 rifles and a cache of ammunition in Delta State, describing the operation as a critical step toward safeguarding national security.

In a statement released on Tuesday, IYN leaders Frank Ebikabo and Federal Ebiaridor expressed confidence in the DSS, especially in light of the arrest of a UK Army Major from Delta State who was allegedly linked to the gun-running operation.

The youth leaders were responding to recent media reports detailing the arrest near Asaba and the seizure of arms. They lauded the DSS, particularly its Director General, Adeola Ajayi, for what they called a blend of vigilance and professionalism.

“We hereby commend the Director General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi and the operatives of the service whose alertness and painstaking investigation led to the arrest of the UK Army Major and the seizure of the arms and ammunition involved,” they stated.

“What the DSS has forestalled is a vile attempt to foist a dangerous regime of inter-ethnic violence on Warri and its environs.

“We hold the view that the agency deserves commendation as the magnitude of violence and destruction 57 AK47s in the wrong hands can cause is better imagined,” they added.

The IYN called for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arms haul, particularly amid tensions arising from recent ward delineation efforts by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the Warri Federal Constituency.

They urged the DSS to continue pursuing justice and ensure all those involved, including the foreign military officer, are held accountable.

Additionally, the group called on the British High Commission in Nigeria to act swiftly on a petition submitted over the matter.

“It is disheartening that a high-ranking military officer could be linked to a failed attempt to stoke avoidable crisis in Nigeria,” the group said.

They called on the UK Government to clarify the officer’s standing within its military, suggesting his actions had harmed the reputation of the British Armed Forces.

The IYN further appealed to residents of Warri — including the Ijaw, Urhobo, and Itsekiri communities — to resist individuals attempting to incite ethnic strife in the region.

In a related development, a coalition of Nigerian civil society organizations has called on the British Government to collaborate with Nigerian authorities in investigating the UK Major’s alleged role in illegal arms dealings.

In a letter dated April 28, 2025, and addressed to the British High Commissioner, the coalition warned that the incident represents a serious threat to Nigeria’s internal security.

The letter was jointly signed by Dr. Nwambu Gabriel, Leader of the coalition; Zekeri Momoh-Saliu, Secretary; Mohammed Idris, Member; and Hugo Okafor, Member.

Some of the members of the coalition are 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.

There has been disenchantment and tension following the delineation of wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

This had thrown up suspicions that the arms were procured by those opposed to the exercise.

Security sources say that the DSS is also looking into the activities of a powerful traditional ruler in connection with the matter.

INEC had earlier presented the report on the delineation of wards and polling units in the Warri Federal Constituency representatives of the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo ethnic nationalities.

The Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Etekamba Umoren, who represented the Commission’s Chairman at the presentation in Asaba, said that the fresh ward and polling unit delineation fieldwork was necessitated by the Supreme Court judgment of December 22, 2022, which ordered it to conduct the exercise.

INEC gave copies of the delineation report to Chief Victor Okumagba, Dr. Andrew Igban, and Dr Joe Bisina on behalf of the Urhobo, Itsekiri, and Ijaw ethnic nationalities, respectively.