The Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for the seizure of 57 AK 47 rifles and other weapons including  hundreds of ammunition in Delta State.

The IYN further hailed the arrest of a Delta-born UK army Major and others in connection with the gun running saying it reinforced public trust and confidence in the nation’s secret service and its commitment to national security.

The IYN Coordinator, Frank Ebikabo and Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, issued a statement on Tuesday following reports the security agency arrested of a gun runner with 57 AK47 rifles close to Asaba, Delta State, last week.

The group commended the Director-General of the DSS, Mr Adeola Ajayi, and his men for their proactiveness and professionalism to prevent mindless bloodletting in Warri.

The statement reads: “We, hereby, commend the Director General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi and the operatives of the service whose alertness and painstaking investigation led to the arrest of the UK Army Major and the seizure of the arms and ammunition involved.

“What the DSS has forestalled is an attempt to foist a dangerous regime of inter-ethnic violence on Warri and its environs.

“We hold the view that the agency deserves commendation as the magnitude of violence and destruction 57 AK47 rifles in the wrong hands can cause is better imagined.”

The IYN urged the leadership of the DSS to ensure a holistic investigation of persons behind the botched attempt to return Warri to the days of violence because of disenchantment over the INEC ward delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency.

The group urged the DSS to  be consistent with the good work by bringing to justice  all those involved in the crime, including the UK Army Major.

It insisted that disagreements over issues of delineation should be resolved through dialogue instead of resorting to ethnic-inspired violence.

The IYN also called on the British High Commission in Nigeria to treat a petition sent to it on the involvement of the UK military officer with the required sense of urgency.

The group said it was disheartening that a high ranking military officer could be linked to a failed attempt to stoke avoidable crisis in the country.

The IYN urged the UK Government to clarify the status of the said Major, saying his actions had become  inimical to the good image of the UK military.

The group urged the inhabitants of the Warri Federal Constituency-the Ijaws, Urhobo and Itsekiri to be wary of people with dangerous and sinister intents to start ethnic violence in the city.

Similarly, a coalition of civil society organizations called on the British Government to partner with the Federal Government to investigate the activities  of the arrested Major.

The coalition made its position known in in a letter it addressed to the British High Commissioner in Nigeria dated April 28, 2025, insisting that the major’s action was a threat to Nigeria’s internal security.

The letter was jointly signed by Dr. Nwambu Gabriel, Leader of the coalition; Zekeri Momoh-Saliu, Secretary; Mohammed Idris, member and Hugo Okafor, member.

Some of the members of the coalition are the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, Coalition for Democratic Watchdogs, Initiative for Voter Awareness and Electoral Reforms, and the Global Centre for Conscience Living Against Corruption among others.