By ZAKAA LAZARUS
Troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, operating under Operation UDOKA through the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANIY II, have recorded a major operational success with the arrest of key members of a notorious criminal syndicate responsible for the ambush of troops on 4 May 2026.
The ambush claimed the life of one soldier and left another wounded.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni.
According to him, troops launched a series of intelligence-led raids aimed at apprehending the perpetrators and recovering weapons stolen during the incident.
The sustained operations resulted in the arrest of the suspects.
“Acting on actionable intelligence, in the early hours of 31 July 2026, troops in collaboration with 181 Battalion operating under 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, conducted a coordinated raid at Opaebe and Oleh in Delta State, the statement said.
This led to the arrest of the suspects popularly known as Chiboy, Marathon, and Onowu, who had fled to Oleh in Delta State after the attack on troops.
Subsequently, the suspects guided troops to their hideouts at Aggah Plantation, Ekpeaggah, Rivers State, and Umudike Plantation, where the stolen weapons and other arms used in committing their nefarious acts were concealed.
During the operation, troops recovered:
– Stolen service weapons: 1 AK-47 rifle with 2 magazines and 1 FN rifle with 2 magazines
– Additional arms: 3 AK-47 rifles with 9 magazines, and pistols with their magazines
– Ammunition:194 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition
– Military gear: Camouflage shirts, trousers, jungle hats, and a fragment protection jacket
– Other items: 1 empty first aid box and 5 mobile phones believed to be linked to the syndicate’s criminal activities
The military said the suspects are currently in custody for further investigation and will face prosecution in accordance with the law.
“The Headquarters Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDOKA, commends the professionalism, resilience, and inter-agency cooperation demonstrated by the troops throughout the operation,” the statement added.
“This success underscores the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to safeguarding lives and dismantling criminal networks in order to sustain the peace-building processes ongoing across the region.”
