The Nigerian Army has announced fresh gains in its ongoing campaign against militant groups in the South East, reporting that sustained pressure from troops has pushed members of an armed group to give up their weapons voluntarily, even as separate raids yielded more arms and an explosive device.
According to a statement from Army Headquarters, the latest developments stemmed from operations by the 82 Division/Joint Task Force South East, under Operation UDO KA. Officials say the results reflect the effectiveness of a combined military strategy that blends direct combat operations with community engagement efforts aimed at dismantling armed criminal networks in the region.
Surrender Follows Pressure Campaign and Arrests
The Army said the breakthrough came after weeks of sustained operations by the 34 Artillery Brigade, coupled with the arrest of individuals connected to the killing of a soldier. Facing mounting pressure, members of a militant faction based in the Egbema area reportedly began handing over their weapons.
One suspect in custody is said to have revealed the location of a weapons cache, prompting a security team to recover the hidden arms. Items recovered included an AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 54 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and four locally made firearms.
In a related operation, troops attached to Sector 5 of OPUK carried out a follow-up raid based on intelligence tips. That operation led to the seizure of two General Purpose Machine Guns, 45 rounds of 7.62mm x 51 ammunition, and an Improvised Explosive Device.
Military officials characterised the voluntary surrender of weapons as proof that ongoing operations combined with engagement strategies and cooperation with other security agencies are pushing armed groups to abandon violence.
The Army said it intends to keep up the pressure until criminal networks in the region are fully dismantled, reiterating its commitment to protecting lives and property across Nigeria. Officials also renewed calls for members of the public to share credible security information with relevant agencies.
