The Nigerian Army has arrested and detained two of its personnel for allegedly participating in a kidnapping operation on Sapele Road, Benin City in Edo State.
SaharaReporters learnt from a military signal on Sunday that the two soldiers, Lance Corporal Mohammed Sule 17NA/76/4460 from the 4 Brigade Garrison and 18NA/77/3378 which is Private Osagie Osamudiamen from 144 Battalion were contacted by a civilian accomplice and went on the illegal duty.
The soldiers were arrested by PZ junction, Sapele Road, Benin City.
They were accused of abducting a civilian while armed with AK 47 rifle and was taking him to an unknown destination before they were intercepted.
The suspects were said to be on illegal duty having been hired by a “yahoo boy” to recover illicit proceeds, according to a military signal obtained by SaharaReporters on Sunday.
The signal reads; "17NA/76/4460 LCPL MOHAMMED SULE - 4 BDE GAR AND 18NA/77/3378 PTE OSAGIE OSAMUDIAMEN - 144 BN (R). A/N SLDRS WERE ARRESTED BY EDO STATE KEYSTONE AT PZ JUNCT, SAPELE RD B/C EDO STATE AND HANDED OVER TO 4 BDE PROV COY AT ABOUT 092015A JUN 23.
"THE SLDRS WERE ALLEGED TO HAVE KIDNAPPED A CIVILIAN WHILE ARMED WITH AK 47 RIFLE AND WAS TAKING HIM TO UNKNOWN DESTINATION BEFORE THEY WERE INTERCEPTED. PRELIM INV HOWEVER INDICATES THAT THE SLDRS WHERE ON ILLEGAL DUTY HAVING BEEN HIRED BY A YAHOO BOY TO RECOVER ILLICIT PROCEEDS.
"ITEMS RECOVERED FM THE DUO INCL 1 X AK 47 RIFLE, 60 X LIVE RDS OF 7.62 MM (SP), 2 X MAGAZINES AND 1 X MIL ID CARD. SLDRS AND EXHIBITS ARE CURRENTLY IN OWN CUSTODY FOR DETAILED INVESTIGATION. PICS ATT. PLS ACK///," the signal added.