Militants Surrender Arms as Troops Recover Gun Machines, IED in South-East
The Nigerian Army has recorded another operational breakthrough in the South-East following the voluntary surrender of weapons by members of a militant group and the recovery of additional firearms, ammunition and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in separate operations.
The successes were recorded by troops of the 82 Division/Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA (OPUK), as sustained offensive and intelligence-led operations continued to put pressure on criminal networks operating across the region.
According to the Army, troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade intensified operations around Egbema and its environs following the recent arrest of suspects linked to the killing of a soldier.
The sustained military pressure reportedly compelled members of a militant group operating in the area to voluntarily surrender their weapons.
One of the arrested suspects subsequently disclosed the location where the group’s weapons had been concealed, leading security personnel to the site where the arms were recovered.
The recovered items included one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 54 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition and four locally fabricated firearms.
In a related operation, troops of Sector 5, OPUK, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a follow-up operation that resulted in the recovery of two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), 45 rounds of 7.62mm x 51 ammunition and one IED.
The Army said the recovery of the weapons and explosive device had further degraded the capacity of criminal elements to carry out attacks and threaten the safety of communities in the South-East.
It described the voluntary surrender of arms as an indication that sustained military pressure, complemented by strategic engagement and collaboration with other security agencies, was yielding tangible results.
The Army said it would sustain the operational momentum until criminal networks in the region were dismantled and lasting peace and stability restored.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty through intelligence-driven operations conducted in collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders.
The Army urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remained critical to sustaining operational successes and strengthening security across the country.
By TimesNG