Troops Arrest Suspected Armourer, Recover Cache of Weapons in Imo Forest Raid

Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under the Joint Task Force (JTF) South East, Operation UDO KA, have arrested a suspected armourer and logistics courier linked to attacks on oil installations and security personnel in Imo State, recovering a cache of arms and ammunition during an intelligence-led operation.

The Nigerian Army disclosed the development in a statement on Thursday, saying the operation was carried out in the early hours of Tuesday following credible intelligence.

According to the Army, troops conducted a search-and-raid operation along the Akpe Aggah–Egbema Forest axis, leading to the arrest of the suspect at Obiakpu Forest in the Ohaji–Egbema area of Imo State.

Preliminary investigations, the Army said, indicate that the suspect allegedly served as the principal armourer and logistics coordinator for a criminal group responsible for attacks on oil facilities and troops deployed in the Ohaji–Egbema axis.

During the operation, soldiers recovered a large cache of weapons, including one AK-47 rifle, one M4A1 carbine, one M16A2 rifle, six magazines, five pump-action guns, a locally fabricated pistol, and a substantial quantity of assorted ammunition.

The Army described the recovery as a significant setback to the criminal group’s operational capability and logistics network.

“The recovery represents a major disruption to the group’s operational capability and logistics chain,” the statement said.

It added that the suspect is currently in military custody and undergoing further investigation to facilitate follow-up operations aimed at identifying, arresting and dismantling other members and collaborators of the criminal syndicate.

Reaffirming its commitment to restoring peace and security in the South-East, the Nigerian Army said it would sustain offensive operations against criminal elements threatening national security and critical economic infrastructure.

The Army also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely, credible and actionable intelligence, stressing that community cooperation remains vital in the fight against insecurity.