Troops arrest arms supplier as Gen Buratai loses father

Troops of Guards Brigade Nigerian Army, deployed at Mararaba, Nasarawa State for Internal Security Operations have arrested a man with arms and ammunitions during a stop and search operation at the checkpoint on Thursday.

The suspect, who gave his name as Mr Peter Iorlaha, was apprehended with a bag containing 2 locally made pistols, 1 locally made short gun, 2 rounds of 7.62mm (Special), 5 live cartridges, 2 torch lights, a screw driver, charms and a Tecno mobile handset.

A statement issued by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, said the suspected arms supplier revealed that the weapons and other items were handed over to him by his uncle for safe keeping.

He said the suspect is currently under going interrogation .

In another development, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka has confirmed the death of Alhaji Yusuf Buratai. Yusuf Buratai is the father of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai.

Kukasheka in a statement issued in Maiduguri stated that the late Yusuf Buratai, an ex-serviceman, died on Friday morning.

The statement reads in part, “This is to inform you of the passing away of the father of the Chief of Army Staff, Alhaji Yusuf Buratai, this morning (Friday) in Maiduguri”.

Buratai, a veteran of World War II, joined the West African Army in 1942.

Andrew Orolua, Abuja