Troops of the Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, have uncovered a suspected illegal arms supply network involving personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service during a series of intelligence-led operations across the South-East.
The Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 82 Division, Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, said the breakthrough followed coordinated operations carried out with other security agencies, leading to multiple arrests and the recovery of arms, ammunition and other incriminating items linked to criminal activities in the region.
According to the Nigerian Army, the operation began after intelligence provided by the 82 Military Intelligence Brigade led troops of the 82 Division Provost Group and Sector 2, Operation UDO KA, to arrest Assistant Superintendent II of the NSCDC, Obaji Sampson.
Further investigations reportedly exposed a wider network, resulting in the arrest of Superintendent Tasie Victor Nnamdi, the Unit Armourer of the NSCDC Enugu State Command, who investigators identified as the alleged principal supplier of the weapons.
The Army also arrested Assistant Superintendent of Corrections, Ekwueme Onyebuchi Clement, who was identified as a major recipient in the suspected arms supply chain.
The arrests, according to the military, exposed what it described as a suspected illegal arms supply network, with investigations continuing.
In another operation, troops acting on fresh intelligence stormed a residence on Achara Road in the Trans-Ekulu area of Enugu State, where they arrested a suspected member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), identified as Friday Nnanna.
During the raid, troops recovered 247 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 12 rounds of 9mm pistol ammunition, 29 live cartridges, four pump-action guns and a Beretta pistol.
Also recovered were 11 different vehicle registration plates, materials suspected to be used for manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs), assorted swords, a smoke tear gas canister, military accoutrements, other items and four vehicles.
The Army said the suspect and all recovered exhibits remain in military custody while investigations continue.
Meanwhile, in Cross River State, troops of the 245 Battalion, working alongside operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), raided Balep Community along the Ikom-Ogoja Road.
Three suspects were arrested during the operation, while security operatives recovered two Dane guns, a locally fabricated pistol, six cartridges, military webbing, a woodland camouflage jacket, a strike-face metal plate, an axe and substances suspected to be cannabis.
The Nigerian Army said preliminary investigations into the Cross River operation are ongoing.
Reaffirming its resolve to combat insecurity, the Army said troops of Operation UDO KA would continue to sustain intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies to dismantle criminal networks, deny criminals freedom of operation and improve security across the South-East and the country at large.
