A 25-year-old soldier, Private Yahaya Yunusa, has been arrested by military authorities for allegedly being in illegal possession of over 200 rounds of ammunition in Jaji, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Yunusa, who is attached to the 197 Special Forces Battalion in Zamfara State, was apprehended around 11:55 a.m. on Friday, April 18, 2025, while allegedly attempting to smuggle ammunition without authorisation.
According to an operational report obtained by PLATFORM TIMES, the soldier was caught with 214 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, all hidden and linked by chains, raising suspicion of possible illicit distribution or diversion.
Military sources said the items recovered from the suspect included 50 rounds of 12.7×108mm and 69 rounds of 7.62×54mmR—both linked by belts—alongside 35 rounds of unlinked 7.62×54mmR and 60 rounds of 5.56×45mm ammunition.
He was also found with multiple personal Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, including those from Opay, Unity Bank, Access Bank, and First Bank.
Yunusa was also reportedly carrying his military identification card at the time of arrest.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect confessed during interrogation that he retrieved the ammunition during various field operations.
He also claimed to be the operator of an anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on a military vehicle.
“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,” a military report confirmed.
Military authorities have yet to issue an official statement, but the incident has raised concerns about internal breaches and the potential for arms diversion within the ranks.
As of press time, Yunusa remains in custody as investigations continue.
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