The British government said on Wednesday that the official implicated in gun running in Delta State was never a commissioned officer of United Kingdom [UK] Army.
The Ijaw Youths Network had, in an earlier statement while commending the Nigeria’s Department of State Services for the seizure of 57 AK 47 rifles, other arms and hundreds of ammunition in Delta State, alleged to have been ferried into the country by a purported Delta State-born UK army Major, also asked for the probe of the incident by the British government.
A spokesperson from the British High Commission on Wednesday said: “The individual identified in recent Nigerian media reporting is not a serving member of the UK Armed Forces.”
The spokesperson admitted that the individual identified did serve as a junior rank in the UK Armed Forces Reserves but was discharged, adding that while in the Reserves, he was a junior rank not a commissioned officer.
The spokesperson noted that: “We have a common law and Data Protection Act duty to protect the personal details of our current and former employees and are therefore not able to release any additional information in this matter.
“We kindly request that this statement be reflected in your reporting to ensure factual accuracy.
“For future reference, please direct any inquiries related to UK personnel to the British High Commission’s Press and Public Affairs team.”
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