The Nigerian Army has declared Private Mohammed Yusuf Amutu wanted over the alleged illegal sale of military uniforms to terrorists and other criminal elements.
Spokesman of the Army’s Ordnance Corps Headquarters, Maj. Oluwatope Dorcas Aluko, said in a statement yesterday that Amutu, who served at the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, deserted his unit on June 3.
‘Preliminary investigations indicate that the soldier absconded from his unit on June 3. Consequently, he has been declared wanted, while intensive efforts are underway to locate and apprehend him to face investigation and appropriate disciplinary action,’ Aluko said.
The illegal circulation of military uniforms and accoutrements has remained a persistent security concern in Nigeria, as insurgents, bandits and other armed groups have repeatedly been found disguising themselves in military-style attire to infiltrate communities, evade detection at checkpoints or carry out attacks under the guise of legitimate security operations.
Aluko said the Corps has zero tolerance for misconduct or acts capable of compromising the Army’s operational effectiveness or national security, adding that anyone found aiding terrorists through the unauthorised sale or diversion of military items would face the full weight of the law. Under military law, desertion and collaboration with non-state armed actors are treated as serious offences that could attract court martial proceedings if the suspect is apprehended and the allegations are substantiated.
She appealed to the public to report credible information on the soldier’s whereabouts to the nearest military formation or security agency, assuring Nigerians that the Ordnance Corps would continue to strengthen internal control measures to prevent further leakages of military assets to criminal elements.