••Arms cache seized as security agency thwarts alleged plan to ignite tribal conflict in Warri.
By Observers Times Investigations
Operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) have disrupted an alleged plot to incite widespread unrest in Warri, Delta State, leading to the arrest of a foreign-based Army major and several others, according to sources who disclosed the information to Observers Times.
The investigation, which culminated in the arrests, revealed a coordinated effort to procure and distribute weapons intended to exacerbate tribal tensions in the oil-rich region. A high-ranking military officer, of Itsekiri origin, was allegedly recruited by an individual identified as Collins to orchestrate the arms acquisition.
A security source familiar with the operation, speaking on condition of anonymity, detailed the DSS’s covert operation near Asaba, Delta State, which resulted in the apprehension of the arms supplier. “The DSS Delta Command conducted a precision operation, intercepting the arms supplier during a clandestine exchange,” the source revealed to Observers Times late Friday night.
During the operation, DSS operatives seized a substantial cache of weapons, including over 50 AK-47 rifles, six pump-action shotguns, and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition. “The sheer volume of weapons seized underscores the severity of the planned unrest,” the source emphasized.
Further investigations led DSS agents to Lagos, where they intercepted the Army major as he attempted to cross Nigeria’s border en route to the United Kingdom. “The swift action by the DSS prevented what could have been a catastrophic escalation of violence,” an intelligence source told Observers Times.
“All suspects are now in DSS custody,” the source confirmed. “The DSS is committed to conducting a thorough and transparent investigation, and all individuals found to be involved in plotting tribal conflicts will be held accountable. This operation signals a strong message that the security agencies will not tolerate any attempt to destabilize the region.”
Observers Times also learned that a traditional ruler is under discreet investigation in connection with the alleged plot. “The DSS is exploring all avenues to uncover the full extent of this conspiracy,” a source privy to the investigation disclosed.
Attempts to obtain official confirmation from the DSS and other relevant authorities were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
The arrests come against a backdrop of heightened tensions in Delta State, following the Itsekiri Nation’s vehement rejection of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) ward delineation exercise. The Itsekiri people had threatened legal action, citing concerns over the fairness and impartiality of the delineation.
The situation further deteriorated on April 7, when violence erupted in Odion Road, Warri South Local Government Area, resulting in one fatality and the destruction of several houses. The incident prompted the immediate deployment of soldiers, police officers, and other security personnel to the area to restore order and prevent further escalation. The DSS operation highlights the security agencies’ proactive stance in addressing the underlying tensions and preventing any potential resurgence of violence.
