A Nigerian soldier, identified as Corporal Musa Abdullahi, was apprehended on Thursday at the Borno Express Terminal in Maiduguri, Borno State, after security operatives discovered 350 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition concealed in a sack during a routine check.
The soldier, who was on a welfare pass and reportedly traveling to Kano State, was detained by the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP) for illegal possession of ammunition.
According to security sources, the arrest occurred during a stop-and-search operation at the busy bus terminal, a key transit point in the state capital.
Operatives found the ammunition hidden inside a sack of grains, raising concerns about potential links to illicit activities.
“The soldier was attempting to board a vehicle when we uncovered the rounds carefully concealed in his luggage,” a military source disclosed to journalists, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The seized ammunition has been handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation.
Preliminary investigations suggest Abdullahi, attached to the 81 Battalion in the North-East, had been granted leave to visit his family.
However, his possession of such a large quantity of ammunition has sparked questions about his intentions.
The Nigerian Army, in a statement by Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, emphasized its zero-tolerance policy for misconduct.
“The soldier is in custody, and a thorough probe is underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding this incident,” Nwachukwu said, adding that disciplinary measures would follow if the soldier is found culpable.
The arrest comes amid heightened security concerns in Borno State, a region plagued by the Boko Haram insurgency.
Previous incidents of soldiers illegally possessing ammunition in Maiduguri have fueled suspicions of internal breaches, with some cases linked to the supply of arms to criminal groups.
In 2024, Lance Corporal Mubarak Yakubu was arrested at the same terminal with 756 rounds of ammunition and grenades hidden in a bag of rice, underscoring ongoing challenges in curbing such activities.
Residents and commuters at the terminal expressed alarm over the incident. “This is disturbing. How can a soldier carry such ammunition like this? We need tighter security checks,” said Aisha Mohammed, a trader at the bus park.
The military has assured the public of its commitment to maintaining discipline and compliance with regulations, urging citizens to report suspicious activities.
