The Nigerian Army has recorded another operational success in the South-East as sustained military operations forced members of a militant group to surrender their weapons, while troops also recovered additional firearms and an improvised explosive device (IED) in separate intelligence-led operations.
The Army said the latest breakthroughs were achieved by troops of the 82 Division/Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and restore lasting peace across the region.
According to the military, the surrender followed sustained pressure mounted by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade and the recent arrest of suspects linked to the killing of a soldier. Unable to withstand the military offensive, members of the militant group operating around Egbema voluntarily agreed to surrender their weapons.
One of the suspects subsequently led security operatives to a location where the group’s arms had been concealed. Recovered from the site were one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and four locally fabricated firearms.
In a separate operation, troops of Sector 5, Operation UDO KA, acting on credible intelligence, recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), 45 rounds of 7.62mm x 51 ammunition and one improvised explosive device (IED), further degrading the operational capability of criminal elements in the region.
The Nigerian Army described the voluntary surrender of arms as evidence that sustained military operations, backed by strategic engagements and collaboration with other security agencies, are compelling criminal groups to abandon violence and renounce their activities.
The Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations across the South-East until all criminal networks are dismantled and lasting peace is restored. It also appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing security operations.
