10th February, 2016
Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of two soldiers who are Explosive Ordinance Device personnel attached to 143 Battalion believed to be working with the Islamist sect, Boko Haram.
The duo were arrested at Yola park on 7 February as they attempted to transport some Nigerian Army explosives and ammunitions.
In a statement issued by the acting spokesperson of the army, Colonel Sani Usman, these ‘black sheep’ are bent on tarnishing the image of the army.
“Unfortunately, despite these successes, a crop of black sheep amongst us are bent on tarnishing the image of the Nigerian Army. Last Sunday 7th February 2016, two of our Explosive Ordinance Device personnel attached to 143 Battalion, 13NA/ 70/10183 Sapper Eric Nwokorie and 13NA/70/10263 Sapper Macauley Fortune were arrested at Yola park.
He said they had the following items in their possession when they were arrested. “They had the following unauthorised military items: 1 Smoke grenade, 2,136 live rounds of 7.62 (Special) ammunition, 50 live rounds of 7.6mm (NATO) ammunition, 5 magazines of AK 47 rifles, 2 Browning Machine Gun live rounds of ammunitions. Others include, 1 Axe, 1 Cutlass, 1 Jack knife, 9 Jungle hats, 11 pairs of Camouflage (9 Desert and 3 woodland green), 4 Military Pullovers, 1 Black beret, 1 Green beret, 1 Pair of number 7 dress, 2 General Duty belt, 12 Army T-shirts, 2 Rain Coats, 2 Water bottles, 1 Pairs of Rain boot and 5 Pairs of Desert boots.
“This unfortunate incident notwithstanding, troops morale remains high as they continue to dominate the general area with aggressive raids, ambushes and patrols to clear the remnants of the terrorists hibernating in the area.”