"I wanted to return to face the consequences of my wrongdoing, but I did not have the courage to do so. But my uncle, who is a sergeant and a boxing coach in the Army encouraged me to return," Daniels is reported to have said.

The release stated that, on September 13, Private Colin Benjamin arrived about 17:00 hours (5 pm), after working on a dredge at Port Kaituma for several days.

It said Benjamin's uncle, who is in charge of one of the dredges, on learning about the soldiers who left the base without permission, enquired of Benjamin if he was one and encouraged him to go back, after the latter admitted his status.

Previously, Private Kwesi Ward, another one in the absconded, returned in the company of his mother and a concerned relative, on the advice of a warrant officer.

The GDF said the three who returned to Army Headquarters and a fourth, Private Ally, were all September 4 abscondees.

The statement said the three were not involved in the theft and sale of the AK-47 and M-70 rifles that were allegedly sold to a Berbice businessman and another man in Kitty, also in the city, but are being held for questioning about the attempted larceny of two more rifles from the Coast Guard, the release added.

The lance corporal who was responsible for the security of the three returnees remains under close arrest and will be severely disciplined shortly, the Army said.

It added that the three, who are directly linked to the stealing and sale of the AK-47 and M-70 rifles but did not attempt to leave the base, are still under close arrest and will be used by civil prosecutors as State witnesses against those charged.