Soldier nabbed for smuggling ammunition from frontline operations in Kaduna

Eric Patrick 

The Nigerian army has apprehended one of its officers a 25-year-old Private, Yahaya Yunusa, for unlawful possession of ammunition in Jaji area of the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Yunusa, who before his arrest was attached to the 197 Special Forces Battalion in Zamfara State.

According to multiple reports, he was arrested around 11:55 a.m. on Friday while carrying 214 rounds of various calibres of linked ammunition.

Yunusa when apprehended was in possession of unauthorised ammunition, his military identification card, and several Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards.

He was found with 50 rounds of 12.7×108mm and 69 rounds of 7.62×54mmR—both sets linked by chains—35 rounds of unlinked 7.62×54mmR, and 60 rounds of 5.56×45mm. He also had Opay, Unity Bank, Access Bank, and First Bank ATM cards.

During interrogation, Yunusa allegedly confessed that he retrieved the ammunition during operations, stating that he was the operator of the Anti-Aircraft (AA) machine gun mounted on a military vehicle.

The report read, "About 1155hrs of 18th April 2025, one Yahaya Yunusa, a 25-year-old military Private (PTE), was apprehended in Jaji, Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

"The suspect said he is a member of the 197 Special Forces Battalion, Zamfara State.

"He was found in possession of unauthorised ammunition along with his Military ID Card and the under-listed items.

"50 rounds of 12.7×108mm linked with a chain, 69 rounds of 7.62×54mmR also linked, 35 rounds of 7.62×54mmR without chain, and 60 rounds of 5.56×45mm; and ATM cards from Opay, Unity Bank, Access Bank, and First Bank."