The British High Commission has refuted claims that a man arrested in Delta State for alleged illegal arms procurement is a serving member of the UK military.
The controversy arose after a petition was filed on Monday by a coalition of Niger Delta stakeholders and civil society organizations (CSOs), urging the High Commission to investigate Micah Polo, who was reportedly identified as a major in the British army. Polo, a Nigerian-born individual, was arrested in connection with procuring arms allegedly intended to fuel unrest in Warri, Delta State.
According to reports, Polo was intercepted by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Delta State last Friday during a covert operation. Over 50 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action shotguns, and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition were seized in the operation. Polo was reportedly about to board a flight to the UK from Lagos when he was apprehended.
The petitioners have called on the British government to cooperate with the DSS to uncover Polo’s possible collaborators, some of whom are believed to be still at large.
In response, the British High Commission issued a statement on Wednesday, clarifying Polo’s connection to the UK military.
“The individual identified in recent Nigerian media reporting is not a serving member of the UK Armed Forces,” the statement said.
“While he did serve in the UK Armed Forces Reserves, he was a junior-ranking officer and not a commissioned officer.”
The High Commission further stated that Polo had been discharged from the reserves and emphasised its legal duty to protect the privacy of current and former employees, making it unable to provide further details on the matter.
The statement concluded by reiterating the commission’s commitment to upholding the law, though no further actions have been confirmed as of now.
