Troops of Operation UDOKA have dismantled a notorious criminal syndicate and recovered military weapons stolen during a deadly ambush on soldiers, marking a major operational breakthrough in the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, the operation followed weeks of sustained intelligence-led raids launched after armed criminals ambushed troops on 4 May 2026, killing one soldier and injuring another before fleeing with the victims’ service weapons.
The statement said the breakthrough came in the early hours of 31 July when troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, working in collaboration with personnel of the 181 Battalion under 63 Brigade, conducted coordinated raids at Opaebe and Oleh in Delta State. The operation resulted in the arrest of three suspected members of the syndicate, identified by their aliases as Chiboy, Marathon and Onowu, who had reportedly fled to Delta State after the attack.
Following their arrest, the suspects reportedly led troops to their hideouts at Aggah Plantation in Ekpeaggah, Rivers State, and Umudike Plantation, where the stolen service weapons and other illegally held firearms were concealed.
Troops recovered the stolen military weapons, including one AK-47 rifle with two magazines and one FN rifle with two magazines. They also seized three additional AK-47 rifles with nine magazines, pistols with their magazines, 194 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
Other items recovered during the operation included military camouflage uniforms, jungle hats, a fragment protection jacket, an empty first aid box and five mobile phones believed to be connected to the syndicate’s activities.
The Army said the suspects are currently in custody and will be prosecuted after the conclusion of investigations.
The Headquarters Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDOKA, commended the professionalism, resilience and effective collaboration among the participating troops, noting that the successful operation reflects the Armed Forces’ determination to dismantle criminal networks, recover illegally held weapons and strengthen security across the South-East and adjoining areas.
