Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, operating under Joint Task Force South East’s Operation UDO KA, have arrested a suspected key armourer and logistics courier and recovered a substantial cache of weapons during an intelligence-led raid in Imo State.
The suspect, described by the military as a principal armourer for a criminal group linked to attacks on oil installations and security forces, was apprehended at Obiakpu Forest in the early hours of July 1 following a search operation along the Akpe Aggah–Egbema Forest axis.
Troops said the operation, launched on credible intelligence, has dealt a significant blow to the group’s logistics chain in the Ohaji–Egbema area, where the network has been blamed for attacks on both oil infrastructure and deployed forces.
The raid yielded a large weapons haul, including an AK-47 rifle, an M4A1 carbine, an M16A2 rifle, six magazines, five pump-action guns, a locally fabricated pistol, and a large quantity of assorted ammunition.
Military officials described the recovery as a major disruption to the group’s operational capability. The suspect remains in custody, where he will face further questioning aimed at identifying and apprehending other members and collaborators of the network, according to the JTF.
The Nigerian Army said it would continue aggressive operations against criminal elements threatening national security and economic assets, and it renewed its appeal to the public to share timely and credible security information through official channels.
