Troops of the Joint Task Force South-East Operation Udoka have uncovered an alleged illegal arms supply network involving two officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and one officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, accused of supplying weapons to criminal groups in the south-east.
The arrested suspects include Assistant Superintendent II Obaji Sampson of the NSCDC, Superintendent Tasie Victor Nnamdi, the unit armourer of the NSCDC Enugu State Command, and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections Ekwueme Onyebuchi Clement.
In a statement, the Nigerian Army said the arrests were part of ongoing offensives against criminal elements across the south-east, made possible through intelligence-led operations and collaboration with other security agencies.
According to the statement, the operations resulted in the arrest of several suspects linked to criminal activities, alongside the recovery of arms, ammunition and other incriminating items, further boosting efforts to improve security in the region.
The Army said that in Cross River State, troops of the 245 Battalion, working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), carried out a raid in Balep Community along the Ikom–Ogoja Road.
During the raid, three suspects were arrested, while security operatives recovered two Dane guns, one locally made pistol, six cartridges, military web equipment, a woodland camouflage jacket, a strike-face metal plate, an axe and substances suspected to be cannabis, among other items.
The statement added that intelligence from the 82 Military Intelligence Brigade led to the arrest of Obaji Sampson by troops of the 82 Division Provost Group and Sector 2 Operation Udoka.
Further investigations reportedly led to the arrest of Tasie Victor Nnamdi, identified as the alleged principal supplier of the arms, and Ekwueme Onyebuchi Clement, said to be a major recipient.
The Army said the arrests exposed what it described as a suspected illegal arms supply network.
Acting on additional intelligence, troops of the 82 Division Garrison and Sector 1 Operation Udoka, in collaboration with the 82 Division Provost Group, also raided a residence at Achara Road, Trans-Ekulu, Golf Estate in Enugu State, where a suspected IPOB/ESN member and alleged gun runner, Friday Nnanna, was arrested.
Security operatives recovered 247 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 12 rounds of 9mm pistol ammunition, 29 live cartridges, four pump-action guns, one Beretta pistol, 11 vehicle registration plates, improvised explosive device-making materials, assorted swords, one smoke tear gas canister, military accoutrements, other items and four vehicles.
The suspect and all recovered items are currently in military custody for further investigation.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations against criminal elements and their support networks, stressing that troops will continue working with other security agencies to protect lives and property across the country.