NSCDC’s Armourer, two Soldiers arrested over alleged gunrunning activities in Adamawa

By Umar Dankano,Yola.

An Armourer attached to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp(NSCDC),Adamawa state command,ASC Peter Ardo,his colleague,AIC Boniface Lawyer and two soldiers have been arrested over alleged gun running activities.

Findings by this medium revealed that,ASC Ardo  (armourer) have been allegedly dealing in illegal arms  undertakings within and outside the state until early January 2024 when the bubble bursted on him and his cohorts.
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The syndicate’s nightmare started when AIC Boniface Lawyer was intercepted by security operatives attached to  the Department of security services (DSS) on patrol in jos, plateau state early January 2024 while unspecified number of ammunition were said to be found in his possession.

While being interrogated by his new landlords (security) he was said to have opened up confessing to be on an errand by his boss (Armourer Ardo) for a delivery from  Adamawa.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity to this reporter confirmed that some soldiers attached to 23rd Armoured Brigade Yola were linked to Armourer Ardo’s alleged gun running activities and have also been apprehended and detained in Army barracks in Yola.

Contacted through his verified Mtn phone number on Thursday,8th February 2024, the state commandant of the NSCDC, Adamawa command,Ibrahim Mainasara pleaded with this reporter for some time as he was on transit travelling, with a  promise to call back if he returns from his trip which he never did.

As a follow-up  on Thursday,15th February 2024, another call was  put across to the commandant by this reporter reminding him of the matter where he answered in the affirmative saying he was about going in to a meeting with his judicial officers but promised to get in touch as soon as the meeting ended which he again didn’t, up to the time of filing in this report.

Confirming the development a top military officer who pleaded that his identity shouldn’t be disclosed said the Suspect (Armourer Ardo) mentioned or fingered two soldiers in the course of investigation and that those soldiers have already been detained in the Brigade.

He also referred this reporter to DSS office in Yola for more facts on the case expressing delight with the feat as a laudable effort in  exposing and weeding out bad eggs among the security outfits.

“Yes it is true that, the Suspect(Ardo) have fingered two of our soldiers whom we detained and are helping us in the investigation on the concern with a view to getting to the root of the matter.

“But go to the DSS office to get more facts on the matter so as not to dish out wrong information to the public,thank you”.The source advised.

A visit to the DSS headquarters in Yola on Friday 16th Febuary 2024 ,a senior officer who attended to this reporter said the case is not for Adamawa command (DSS) but rather for visiting operatives on operations from Plateau command.

He added that in situation like this, the visiting operatives only arrest and bring suspects for custody or safe keeping.

Further efforts to speak to the spokesman of the DSS at the headquarters in Abuja, Peter Afunanya were not fruitful as calls and a SMS, text message put to him were not responded to up to time of going to the press.