The Nigerian Army on Sunday, said they have arrested a rogue soldier, who
specialised in training Niger Delta militants, during its arms and ammunition
mop-up in Kula Community, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Commanding Officer of 2 Brigade Garrison of the Nigerian Army, Port
Harcourt, Lt.-Col. Timothy Opurum, made this known to newsmen in Port Harcourt,
Rivers State capital.
Opurum said the soldier, a member of a 13-man -militant gang alleged to have
been terrorising many communities in the state, deserted the army in 2002.
He said: “Based on intelligence reports, we carried out a sting operation
where we captured the 13man-militant gang including its notorious kingpin
leader, simply known as Kenneth.
“We also arrested a soldier, who deserted the army in 2002 and specialised in
training of militants in weapons handling and operational tactics.
“The soldier (names withheld), who is a Private, joined the army in 1998 and
served in 331 Artillery Regiment, Kalapanzi Barracks in Kaduna before he was
declared missing in 2002.
“The soldier, who is related to the kingpin of the militant group, is still in
our custody and will be released to prosecuting agencies after formal dismissal
from the army,” he said.