Why Troops Arrested a Serving Nigerian Soldier in Plateau State
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1, Operation ENDURING PEACE, have arrested a serving Nigerian Army soldier and recovered 69 rounds of ammunition and other military equipment during a stop-and-search operation in Plateau State.
The soldier, identified as 13NA/70/8069 Corporal Legedu Denebari of the 109 Special Forces Battalion, Magumeri, Borno State, was arrested at about 8:15 p.m. on September 2, 2026, at Babale Checkpoint in Jos North Local Government Area.
According to security sources, Denebari is attached to Operation HADIN KAI and was stopped during routine security checks at the checkpoint.
Items recovered from him included one magazine, 69 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm Special ammunition, two Strike Force ballistic plates, two jack knives, one mobile phone, one power bank, one helmet, a Nigerian Army identity card and two pairs of camouflage uniforms.
Preliminary investigations showed that the soldier was on pass from his unit and was travelling to Rivers State, effective from September 2.
The soldier and the recovered items have been taken into custody for further investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the movement and possession of the ammunition and other military equipment.
The arrest highlights the importance of ongoing stop-and-search operations by security forces in preventing the unauthorised movement of arms, ammunition and military equipment within the Joint Operations Area.
