The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has joined mounting calls for a full-scale and transparent investigation into the alleged involvement of a British Army officer, Major Micah Polo, in a major arms trafficking case recently uncovered by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Delta State.
In a statement released to the press on Monday in Abuja, HURIWA expressed deep alarm over the implications of the discovery for Nigeria’s internal security and regional stability.
The association urged immediate and coordinated action between Nigerian and British authorities to ensure accountability and prevent any efforts to undermine peace and democracy.
According to HURIWA, the DSS recovered a significant cache of weapons—50 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action shotguns, and over 3,000 rounds of ammunition—during a covert operation near Asaba on Friday, April 25, 2025.
Major Polo, allegedly linked to the arms, was reportedly apprehended in Lagos as he attempted to board a flight to the United Kingdom, while several of his suspected associates were arrested in Asaba.
The group warned that if confirmed, the discovery of such a large arms stockpile could escalate tensions in the Warri Federal Constituency, a region already grappling with political unrest.
HURIWA noted growing concerns over reported ties between Major Polo and a prominent traditional ruler in Delta State, suggesting a wider conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the area.
The organization highlighted that Warri has been tense since the Supreme Court ordered a redelineation of wards and polling units in December 2022—a development that has stirred political divisions.
HURIWA stressed that any attempt to weaponize these disputes must be met with firm resistance.
Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, said: “The trafficking of arms for political sabotage is a direct threat to democracy.
“The Nigerian and UK governments must treat this case with the highest level of seriousness to ensure justice is served and national sovereignty is upheld.”
In a formal petition to the British High Commission, HURIWA urged the UK Government to collaborate fully with Nigerian authorities in investigating Major Polo’s alleged involvement, tracing the origins and intended recipients of the arms, and dismantling any transnational trafficking networks linked to the case.
The group called on the UK to demonstrate its commitment to democratic values and peace by ensuring that any of its nationals found complicit in undermining Nigeria’s security are prosecuted under international and domestic law.
HURIWA warned that failure to act decisively could embolden other actors to exploit Nigeria’s political landscape for criminal or geopolitical gain, further endangering the fragile peace in the Niger Delta and beyond.
Furthermore, the group urged the DSS to handle the case with professionalism, legal due process, and transparency, insisting that the investigation’s findings must be made public to reassure citizens and prevent future threats.
“Our democracy is not for sale. This is not just about one man—it is about sending a clear message that neither internal actors nor foreign agents will be allowed to destabilize our nation,” Onwubiko said.
HURIWA concluded by encouraging Nigerians to remain alert, report suspicious activities, and support lawful authorities.
The organization pledged to continue monitoring developments and working with local and international stakeholders to ensure that justice prevails and peace is preserved.
