A 25-year-old soldier, Private Yahaya Yunusa, has been arrested by military authorities in Kaduna State for the illegal possession of ammunition.
The suspect, who serves with the 197 Special Forces Battalion in Zamfara State, was apprehended on Friday morning in Jaji, Igabi Local Government Area, while transporting 214 rounds of assorted linked ammunition.
According to an operational reports, Yunusa was found with unauthorised ammunition, his military ID card, and several ATM cards at the time of his arrest.
The seized items included 50 rounds of 12.7×108mm and 69 rounds of 7.62×54mmR—both linked by chains—as well as 35 unlinked rounds of 7.62×54mmR and 60 rounds of 5.56×45mm. He was also in possession of ATM cards from Opay, Unity Bank, Access Bank, and First Bank.
During questioning, the soldier reportedly confessed that he had taken the ammunition from military operations, explaining that he was the operator of an Anti-Aircraft (AA) machine gun mounted on a military vehicle.
Military sources confirmed that an investigation is underway, and Yunusa is expected to face disciplinary proceedings under the Armed Forces Act. Authorities have yet to disclose whether he acted alone or as part of a larger smuggling network.
SPEAR NEWS gathered that Yunusa is currently in custody as the military continues its probe into the matter. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Part of 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.”
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