A Nigerian Army Lance Corporal displayed uncommon patriotism on Thursday, April 8, when he played along with a gang of suspected Fulani herders who approached him to purchase a rifle for use in their nefarious kidnapping trade and eventually blew the lid off the unholy deal in the nick of time.
The soldier, Usman Musa, attached to Alamala Barracks in Abeokuta, Ogun State, reportedly alerted the police after some suspected Fulani Herders told him they needed a rifle to purchase.
Following his report to the police, Scudnews learnt that a team of detectives, one of whom acted as vendor of the rifle, was detailed to a spot where the soldier pretending to be a willing tool in the arms deal, had agreed with the suspected herders for negotiation on the firearm and arrangements on point of collection.
Sources said on arrival at the agreed spot, the police detectives waited for hours before one the suspected herders identified as Haruna Daruna, showed up with the soldier to meet the detective acting as vendor of the rifle while his colleagues laid ambush nearby.
It was gathered that the negotiation commenced with 19-year-old Daruna, who hails from Niger State offering a sum of N1million for an AK47 rifle.
A police source hinted Scudnews that the deal was sealed and a sum of N200, 000 was immediately paid as deposit by Daruna, promising to complete the balance of N800, 000 by 8.pm on the same day.
However, the detectives swung into action as soon as the illicit arms deal was sealed, and arrested Daruna who reportedly led the cops to snuff out other members of his cohorts from their hideout.
Confirming the incident, a senior police officer at the Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the state police command who pleaded anonymity, said eight other suspected herders were arrested in connection with the case and investigation is in progress.
