Troops of the Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA, have recorded major operational successes in a series of intelligence-driven operations across the South-East, arresting suspected criminals, dismantling an alleged illegal arms supply network, and recovering a cache of weapons, ammunition and other incriminating items.
The operations, carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, underscore the military’s intensified campaign against criminal elements and their support networks in the region.
In Cross River State, troops of the 245 Battalion, working jointly with operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), raided Balep Community along the Ikom–Ogoja Road, leading to the arrest of three suspects.
Items recovered during the operation included two Dane guns, a locally fabricated pistol, six cartridges, military webbing equipment, a woodland camouflage jacket, a strike-face metal plate, an axe, and substances suspected to be cannabis, among other exhibits. Military authorities said preliminary investigations are ongoing.
In a separate intelligence-led operation, information provided by the 82 Military Intelligence Brigade resulted in 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 led to the arrest of Superintendent Tasie Victor Nnamdi, the Unit Armourer of the NSCDC Enugu State Command, who is alleged to be the principal supplier in the suspected arms trafficking network. Authorities also arrested Assistant Superintendent of Corrections Ekwueme Onyebuchi Clement, identified as a major recipient of the weapons.
Security sources said the arrests exposed what is believed to be an organised illegal arms supply network currently under investigation.
Acting on additional intelligence, troops of the 82 Division Garrison and Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA, in conjunction with the 82 Division Provost Group, raided a residence on Achara Road in the Trans-Ekulu Golf Estate area of Enugu State.
During the operation, troops arrested Friday Nnanna, identified by the military as a suspected member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), as well as an alleged gun runner.
The raid yielded a substantial cache of arms and military-related items, including 247 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 12 rounds of 9mm pistol ammunition, 29 live cartridges, four pump-action guns, a Beretta pistol, 11 different vehicle registration plates, suspected improvised explosive device-making materials, assorted swords, a smoke tear gas canister, military accoutrements, other items of evidential value, and four vehicles.
The suspect and all recovered exhibits have been taken into military custody as investigations continue.
Reaffirming its commitment to restoring peace and security, the Nigerian Army said it would sustain intelligence-led operations against criminal elements and their collaborators across the country.
The Army also pledged to deepen collaboration with other security agencies to deny criminal groups freedom of action, safeguard lives and property, and strengthen ongoing efforts to enhance peace, security and stability in the South-East and other parts of Nigeria.
