Troops of Operation Udo Ka have captured a truck loaded with “over 164,000 live cartridges” in Anambra State.
The weapons were reportedly bound for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
A joint operation by Sector 5 troops of Operation Udo Ka, operatives of the 63 Brigade, and the Department of State Services (DSS), arrested the suspects who were found with the ammunitions.
Security officials told Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, that a suspected arms courier known as Emeka Omenife was arrested on May 29 along the Asaba–Onitsha expressway.
The DSS arrested Omenife, who was reportedly en route to deliver the consignment.
The suspect has allegedly confessed to being part of a transnational arms smuggling syndicate transportsing ammunition from Ghana into Nigeria for separatist militias operating in the south-east.
Omenife’s confession led to the arrest of a second suspect, Uchenna Obiora, at the Onitsha–Awka tollgate the following day.https://ads.thecable.ng/ads/www/delivery/lg.php?bannerid=0&campaignid=0&zoneid=13&loc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecable.ng%2Ftroops-intercept-truck-with-164650-live-cartridges-in-anambra%2F&referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&cb=592ca60864
Obiora was reportedly waiting to receive the delivery when troops swooped on and arrested him.
“Upon interception, the vehicle was moved to Onitsha Cantonment, where a thorough search revealed 164,650 live cartridges hidden in four constructed compartments within the cargo bed of the truck,” one of the sources said, adding that the ammunition originated from Ghana and destined for Onitsha.
Makama said investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the smuggling network.
Security sources revealed that on January 22, he was arrested by troops and officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) at his residence in Onitsha Housing Estate.
He reportedly attaempted tried to escape, but was shot in the buttocks and taken for treatment at the 302 Army Regiment Medical Services.
He was later transferred to the Anambra State Police Criminal Investigation Department in Akwuzu.
His re-arrest just months later has raised questions about how he was released and whether he had returned to the same illicit arms trade.
