Man Arrested For Smuggling Arms In Delta Is Not UK Soldier – British High Commission

British High Commission has denied reports that a man arrested in Delta State over illegal arms dealings is a member of the UK military.

On Monday, a group of Niger Delta leaders and civil society organizations (CSOs) complained to the British High Commission, claiming the man, Micah Polo, was involved in a plot to cause chaos in Warri, Delta State.

They asked for an investigation into Micah Polo, who had been described as a major in the British Army.

Micah Polo, a Nigerian by birth, was recently arrested for allegedly trying to acquire weapons for a planned mayhem.

Last Friday, agents from the Department of State Services (DSS) in Delta reportedly stopped the operation, catching the arms supplier during a secret exchange near Asaba.

Authorities seized over 50 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action shotguns, and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition.

Reports also suggested that Micah Polo was stopped in Lagos while trying to board a flight to the UK.

The petitioners urged the British government to work with the DSS to identify others involved in the plot, some of whom are still on the run.

On Wednesday, a spokesperson from the British High Commission responded in a statement, saying the man in question is not an active member of the UK Armed Forces.

The statement clarified that while Polo had served in the UK military reserves, he was only a junior rank and had been discharged.

The Commission emphasized its responsibility to protect personal information under UK law and stated that no further details could be shared about Polo’s military service.

“The individual identified in recent Nigerian media reporting is not a serving member of the UK Armed Forces,” the statement reads.

“Whilst in the Reserves he was a junior rank not a commissioned officer.

“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.”

The Commission called on media outlets to accurately reflect this clarification in their coverage, stressing the need for factual reporting on issues of public interest and international significance.

For additional information about UK personnel, journalists should reach out directly to the Press and Public Affairs team at the British High Commission.

KanyiDaily recalls that a military court in Enugu recently sentenced a soldier, Private Adamu Mohammed, to death by hanging for murdering his girlfriend, Hauwa Ali.