Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under the Joint Task Force 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.
The operation, disclosed by the Nigerian Army in a statement posted on its official X page on Thursday, also led to the recovery of a cache of arms and ammunition during an intelligence-led raid.
According to the Army, the operation was carried out in the early hours of July 1 along the Akpe Aggah–Egbema Forest axis, where troops raided the Obiakpu Forest and apprehended the suspect.
The statement read, “Troops of 34 Artillery Brigade under Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA have dealt a significant blow to criminal elements operating in the South East by arresting a suspected key armourer and logistics courier linked to attacks on oil installations and security forces, while recovering a substantial cache of arms and ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in Imo State.”
The Army said preliminary investigations identified the suspect as the principal armourer for a criminal group allegedly responsible for attacks on oil facilities and troops deployed in the Ohaji–Egbema 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.
“The recovery represents a major disruption to the group’s operational capability and logistics chain,”the Army stated.
It added that the suspect remained in custody and would undergo further investigation to aid follow-up operations aimed at identifying, arresting and dismantling other members and collaborators of the criminal network.
Reaffirming its commitment to tackling insecurity, the Army said, “The Nigerian Army reassures citizens of its relentless resolve to sustain aggressive operations against all criminal elements threatening national security and economic assets.”
The Army also urged members of the public to support ongoing operations by providing timely, credible and actionable intelligence through established security channels.
