Troops of Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, have recorded fresh operational successes against criminal elements in the region, dismantling a suspected illegal arms supply network, arresting several suspects and recovering a cache of weapons, ammunition and explosive-making materials in coordinated intelligence-led operations.
The military said the operations, conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, form part of ongoing efforts to deny criminal groups freedom of action and strengthen security across the South-East and adjoining areas.
In Cross River State, troops of the 245 Battalion, working alongside operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), raided a suspected criminal hideout at Balep Community along the Ikom-Ogoja Road.
The operation led to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of two Dane guns, a locally fabricated pistol, six cartridges, military web equipment, a woodland camouflage jacket, a strike-face metal plate, an axe and substances suspected to be cannabis.
Military authorities said preliminary investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement in criminal activities and establish possible links with other criminal networks operating in the area.
In a more significant breakthrough, intelligence provided by the 82 Military Intelligence Brigade led to the arrest of Assistant Superintendent II Obaji Sampson of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) by troops of the 82 Division Provost Group and Sector 2 of Operation UDO KA.
Subsequent investigations uncovered what security sources described as a suspected arms trafficking syndicate involving serving security personnel.
This led to the arrest of Superintendent Tasie Victor Nnamdi, the Unit Armourer of the NSCDC Enugu State Command, who was identified as the principal supplier of the weapons, as well as Assistant Superintendent of Corrections Ekwueme Onyebuchi Clement, alleged to be a major recipient within the network.
Military authorities said the arrests exposed a suspected illegal arms supply chain believed to have facilitated the movement of weapons to criminal elements operating within the region.
Acting on further intelligence, troops of the 82 Division Garrison and Sector 1 Operation UDO KA, in conjunction with the 82 Division Provost Group, conducted a raid on a residence located at Achara Road, Trans-Ekulu Golf Estate in Enugu State.
During the operation, troops arrested a suspected IPOB/ESN member and alleged gun runner, Friday Nnanna, and recovered a substantial cache of arms-related items and military equipment.
Items recovered from the suspect included 247 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 12 rounds of 9mm pistol ammunition, 29 live cartridges, four pump-action guns, one Beretta pistol, 11 different vehicle registration plates, improvised explosive device-making materials, assorted swords, a smoke tear-gas canister, military accoutrements and four vehicles.
The suspect and all recovered exhibits have been taken into military custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The latest operation comes amid sustained military offensives against criminal groups in the South-East.
During the recent Defence Headquarters operational briefing, the military disclosed that Operation UDO KA had recorded significant gains against criminal elements and members of the proscribed IPOB and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
According to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, troops have continued to achieve breakthroughs through intelligence-led operations and targeted raids.
He stated that troops had recorded “landmark successes in decapitation operations against the proscribed IPOB and its armed wing, the ESN,” leading to the arrest of key operatives, recovery of weapons and disruption of criminal logistics networks across the region.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the current operational momentum, stressing that troops would continue to work closely with other security agencies to dismantle criminal networks, protect lives and property, and enhance peace, security and stability in the South-East and across the country.
“The Nigerian Army remains committed to sustaining intelligence-driven operations against criminal elements and their support networks,” the military said, adding that efforts would continue to ensure criminals are denied freedom of action while law-abiding citizens go about their activities without fear.
