Troops of Joint Task Force South East, Operation Udoka, have dismantled a suspected arms supply chain linked to security personnel, while separate raids in Cross River and Enugu yielded more weapons and arrests.

Operation Udoka personnel arrested three officers accused of diverting arms to criminal groups in the South-East. 

Those in custody are: Assistant Superintendent II Obaji Sampson of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Superintendent Tasie Victor Nnamdi, the unit armourer for NSCDC Enugu Command, and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections Ekwueme Onyebuchi Clement.

According to the Nigerian Army, the arrests followed intelligence-led operations and inter-agency collaboration. Investigators say Tasie was the alleged main supplier, Clement a key buyer, and Sampson was picked up first, leading investigators to the wider network.

“The operations led to the arrest of several suspects involved in criminal activities and the recovery of arms, ammunition and other incriminating items,” the Army stated.

In a joint operation with the NDLEA, 245 Battalion raided Balep Community along the Ikom–Ogoja Road. Three people were arrested. 

Recovered items include two Dane guns, one locally fabricated pistol, six cartridges, military webbing, a woodland camouflage jacket, a metal strike-face plate, an axe, and substances believed to be cannabis. Investigations are underway.

Enugu gun-runner nabbed, cache seized 

Acting on intelligence from the 82 Military Intelligence Brigade, troops of 82 Division Garrison, Sector 1 Operation Udoka and the 82 Division Provost Group raided a home on Achara Road, Trans-Ekulu, Golf Estate, Enugu. 

A suspected IPOB/ESN member and arms dealer, Friday Nnanna, was arrested there. Troops recovered: 247 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 12 rounds of 9mm pistol ammo, 29 live cartridges, four pump-action guns, one Beretta pistol, 11 vehicle number plates, IED-making materials, swords, a smoke tear gas canister, military gear, and four vehicles.

Nnanna and the recovered items are in military custody for further questioning.

The Nigerian Army said it will sustain intelligence-driven actions against criminal networks and their enablers, and will keep working with other security agencies to deny insurgents freedom of movement and protect communities across the country.

Source: Nigerian Army statement