Troops of the Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, have arrested an armourer attached to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and a correctional officer over their alleged involvement in an illegal arms supply network in Enugu State.
The Nigerian Army disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the operation followed intelligence gathered from the interrogation of a suspected criminal apprehended in Igah Community on June 28.
According to the Army, the suspect allegedly identified his principal arms supplier as Superintendent Tasie Victor Nnamdi, an armourer with the NSCDC Enugu State Command.
Acting on the intelligence, troops carried out a targeted operation on June 29 and arrested Nnamdi at the New Market Filling Station in Enugu.
During preliminary interrogation, the NSCDC officer allegedly identified Chief Superintendent Augustine Mmuo of the NSCDC Delta State Command as his principal supplier of arms.
He also allegedly named Assistant Superintendent of Corrections Ekwueme Onyebuchi Clement, attached to the Arms Department of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Enugu State Command, as one of his major customers.
Based on the information obtained during the investigation, troops conducted a follow-up sting operation on June 30 and arrested Clement at Okpara Square in Enugu.
A search of his vehicle reportedly led to the recovery of 30 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition.
The Army said the correctional officer, during interrogation, identified a civilian whom he claimed had supplied him with firearms on several occasions.
The military stated that the arrests exposed what it described as a suspected illegal arms supply network involving security personnel.
The Army also disclosed that intelligence gathered during the investigation led troops of the 82 Division Garrison and Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA, working alongside the 82 Division Provost Group, to raid a residence at Achara Road in the Trans-Ekulu Golf Estate area of Enugu.
During the operation, troops arrested a suspect identified as Friday Nnanna, who was described as an alleged member of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), as well as a suspected gun runner.
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 different vehicle registration plates, materials suspected to be used for making improvised explosive devices (IEDs), assorted swords, a smoke tear gas canister, military accoutrements, other incriminating items and four vehicles.
The Army said the suspect and all recovered exhibits remain in military custody pending further investigation.
In a separate operation, troops of the 245 Battalion, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), raided Balep Community along the Ikom–Ogoja Road in Cross River State.
The operation led to the arrest of three suspects.
Items recovered during the raid included 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 exhibits.
The Army said preliminary investigations are ongoing.
Reaffirming its commitment to tackling insecurity, the Nigerian Army said it would continue to carry out intelligence-driven operations in collaboration with other security agencies to dismantle criminal networks, recover illegal weapons and protect lives and property across the country.
The military added that ongoing operations are aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action while strengthening peace, security and stability nationwide.
