A coalition of Nigerian civil society organisations has called on the British Government to fully cooperate with Nigerian authorities in investigating a British Army officer accused of involvement in illegal arms procurement aimed at destabilising Delta State.
In a letter dated 28 April 2025 and addressed to the British High Commissioner in Abuja, the coalition stressed the urgency of launching a comprehensive inquiry into the officer’s activities and any potential connections to groups seeking to foment unrest in Nigeria. The letter was signed by Dr Nwambu Gabriel, Leader of the coalition; Zekeri Momoh-Saliu, Secretary; Mohammed Idris, Member; and Hugo Okafor, Member.
Speaking to reporters after delivering the letter to the British High Commission, Dr Gabriel emphasised that international cooperation was crucial to preserving security and democratic stability across the region.
The coalition, comprising 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, further urged the British Government to intensify efforts to trace the origins of the recovered firearms and ammunition. They warned that failing to act could pave the way for future incidents, posing a serious threat to Nigeria’s security.
Highlighting the need for stringent controls, the organisations called for enhanced scrutiny of arms trafficking routes and tighter measures to prevent the diversion of military assets for unlawful purposes.
The coalition also appealed for sustained British support in strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture, particularly in regions historically prone to conflict. They stressed that external vigilance and support are vital amid growing concerns about politically and ethnically motivated violence.
In their statement, the CSOs demanded that any British nationals implicated in illegal arms procurement and trafficking in Nigeria be held accountable under British and international law. They cautioned that a failure to act decisively could embolden further breaches and strain bilateral relations between the two countries.
The call for action follows a major security development on 25 April 2025, when the Department of State Services (DSS), according to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), conducted a covert operation near Asaba, Delta State. The operation reportedly led to the seizure of 50 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action shotguns, and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition.
Associates of the British officer were reportedly apprehended in Asaba, while the officer himself was intercepted in Lagos as he attempted to board a flight to the United Kingdom. Reports suggest the officer has close ties to a prominent first-class traditional ruler in Delta State.
The size of the arms cache, coupled with the officer’s alleged high-level connections, has, according to the coalition, heightened fears of a deliberate attempt to destabilise the region.
The civil society groups warned that the involvement of foreign military personnel in illegal activities within Nigeria’s borders raises profound concerns about the erosion of professional standards within the British military establishment.
They maintained that swift and transparent cooperation between Nigeria and the United Kingdom was essential to ensure accountability, curb the proliferation of arms, and safeguard Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Concluding their statement, the coalition expressed optimism that a collaborative approach would yield a comprehensive investigation and decisive action, ultimately promoting peace and stability in Nigeria.
Copies of the letter were also dispatched to the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja.
