The British High Commission has denied claims that Micah Polo, arrested in Delta State for allegedly procuring illegal arms, is a current member of the UK military. This follows a petition by Niger Delta stakeholders and civil society organizations (CSOs) who requested an investigation into Polo, identified as a major in the British army, for allegedly inciting unrest in Warri, Delta State.

Polo, a Nigerian by birth, was apprehended by the Department of State Services (DSS) during a covert operation near Asaba, where over 50 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action shotguns, and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition were confiscated. He was reportedly intercepted in Lagos while attempting to board a flight to the UK. The petitioners urged the British government to cooperate with the DSS to uncover Polo’s collaborators.

In response, the British High Commission clarified that Polo is not a serving member of the UK Armed Forces. While he did serve in the UK Armed Forces Reserves, he held a junior rank and was not a commissioned officer. The commission stated that Polo has been discharged from the reserves and cited legal obligations to protect the privacy of former employees, preventing the release of further information.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for a joint, transparent investigation by Nigerian and British authorities into Polo's alleged involvement in the arms trafficking incident. HURIWA warned that the case, if substantiated, could destabilize national and regional peace, particularly in sensitive areas like Warri. They raised concerns over possible links between Polo and a traditional ruler in Delta State, suggesting a wider conspiracy to stir unrest. HURIWA urged the UK to fully cooperate in identifying the origin and destination of the seized weapons to expose transnational trafficking networks.

HURIWA emphasized that no foreign actor should exploit Nigeria’s political sensitivities to spread violence or undermine democratic institutions and called for swift legal action in both Nigeria and the UK. They urged the DSS to conduct a professional and transparent investigation, making its findings public to restore confidence and deter further conspiracies. The organization also called on citizens to remain alert and support lawful authorities in preventing sabotage.