The Nigerian Army says troops of Operation UDO KA have arrested a suspected gunrunner, foiling an ambush, and raiding criminal hideouts in Abia and Imo States.
According to an operational report released on Tuesday, the troops, in collaboration with operatives of other security agencies, arrested the suspected gunrunner in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia.
The report said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect conveys weapons to criminals through a third party from Bayelsa State.
It said efforts are ongoing to recover the weapons and track down other members of the network.
In a related development, the report said troops were ambushed while assessing a burnt vehicle along the SPDC–Etekuru road in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo.
“Troops subsequently exploited the area and recovered two burnt vehicles as well as two corpses, which were evacuated for further action,” the Army said, adding that troops, in conjunction with local vigilantes, raided a suspected cultist hideout in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo, leading to the arrest of five suspects.
One of the suspects, according to the report, has offered to lead troops to a suspected armoury in the area, adding that the operations underscored ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and restore security across the South-East.
