Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under the Joint Task Force South East (JTF-SE), Operation UDO KA, have arrested a suspected armourer and recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in Imo State, dealing a major blow to a criminal network linked to attacks on oil installations and security personnel.
The operation was conducted in the early hours of July 1, 2026, along the Akpe Aggah–Egbema Forest axis. During a deliberate search and raid on Obiakpu Forest, troops apprehended the suspect, who is believed to be the principal armourer and logistics courier for the criminal group operating in the Ohaji–Egbema area.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect supplied and maintained weapons used in attacks against oil facilities and troops deployed in the area.
Items recovered during the operation included one AK-47 rifle, one M4A1 carbine, one M16A2 rifle, six magazines, five pump-action guns, a locally fabricated pistol, and a large quantity of assorted ammunition.
Military authorities described the recovery as a significant disruption to the group’s operational capability and logistics network, noting that it would hamper the activities of the criminal syndicate.
The suspect is currently in custody and will undergo further investigation to support follow-up operations aimed at identifying, apprehending, and dismantling other members and collaborators of the network.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against criminal elements threatening national security and critical economic assets. It also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely, credible, and actionable intelligence through established security channels. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
