Army nabs soldier training militants in Rivers

The Nigerian Army has arrested a soldier suspected to be the trainer of militants in Kula community in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
It was gathered that the soldier, who absconded from  Army in 2002, was arrested during arms and ammunition mop-up in the community.
The Commanding Officer, 2 Brigade Garrison of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Lieutenant-Colonel Timothy Opurum, said the soldier was a member of a 13-man militant gang allegedly terrorising many Rivers communities.
He said: “Based on intelligence reports, we carried out a sting operation, where we captured a13-member militant gang, including their notorious leader simply known as Kenneth.
“We also arrested a soldier, who deserted the army in 2002 and specialised in training of militants in weapon handling and operational tactics.
“The soldier (names withheld), who is a Private, joined the army in 1998 and served in 331 Artillery Regiment, Kalapanzi Barracks in Kaduna, before he was declared missing in 2002.
“The soldier, who is related to the kingpin of the militant group, is still in our custody and will be released to prosecuting agencies after formal dismissal from the army.”
Opurum, who led the operation, however, denied allegation that troops shot at innocent fishermen and traders, destroying their wares during the operation in the community.
He stated that the soldiers did not assault innocent civilians during the arms mop -up of arms  in the community.