31
May
May
TROOPS ARREST MONARCH, 18 SOLDIERS, 15 POLICEMEN OVER ARMS RACKETEERING
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CapitalTimesNews / 3 weeks
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- 2 min read
The troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a traditional ruler, 18 serving soldiers, and 15 policemen for allegedly selling arms to terrorists in the North-East region. The arrests were made under Operation Snowball, launched in August 2024 to counter-ammunition racketeering in 11 states. According to Major Ademola Owolana, Staff Officer Grade Two OPHK, the arrests were made after preliminary investigations revealed that community pressure on serving security personnel to supply arms and ammunition for communal conflicts was a driving factor. He also cited the lucrative nature of trading in ammunition as another factor contributing to its persistence. Some of the arrested personnel were found to have amassed significant wealth from the illicit trade. For instance, Sergeant Ameh Raphael, an armourer of 7th Division Garrison, and Sergeant Seidi Adamu of 3rd Division Ordnance Services, had over N45 million and N34 million respectively in their accounts. The operation also recovered significant progress in the fight against terrorists’ logistics suppliers and collaborators, with over 186 arrests made across the theatre of operation since January 2025. The Command expressed concern over the proliferation of drugs and narcotics, which enhances terrorist operational capabilities, and has intensified efforts to disrupt these networks. The Command also highlighted the role of some non-governmental organisations in aiding terrorists, saying some groups have been found to be conveying additives and food items to terrorist locations under the guise of humanitarian assistance. Additionally, the Command lamented the activities of fifth columnists undermining the overall success of Operation Hadin Kai. Major Owolana emphasized that ammunition racketeering erodes battlefield morale, reduces troops’ effectiveness, and strengthens enemy resistance. He warned that those found culpable would face severe punishment, including dismissal and prosecution. “Those found culpable have been dismissed and handed over to the police to serve as deterrent,” he said. The operation has recorded significant successes, including the killing of 694 terrorists and the recovery of 603 assault weapons, 56 RPG bombs, and 16 mortar bombs, among others. The Command also highlighted the importance of the Nigerian Army’s Unmanned Aerial Base Command, which has carried out 1,138 intelligence surveillance reconnaissance missions, covering over 10,033 flight hours.