Army Records Fresh Breakthrough in South-East as Militants Surrender Arms, Weapons, IED Recovered
The Nigerian Army has recorded another significant operational breakthrough in the South-East, as sustained military pressure by troops of the 82 Division/Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA (OPUK) has compelled members of a militant group to voluntarily surrender their weapons.
The development was achieved alongside separate intelligence-led operations that resulted in the recovery of additional firearms, ammunition and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), further weakening the capacity of criminal elements operating across the region.
The breakthrough followed sustained offensive operations by troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, as well as the recent arrest of suspects linked to the killing of a soldier.
According to the Army, the intensified military pressure made it increasingly difficult for members of the militant group operating in Egbema and its environs to sustain their activities, prompting some of them to voluntarily surrender their arms.
One of the suspects subsequently provided information on the location where weapons belonging to the group had been concealed. Acting on the information, security personnel recovered the weapons from the identified location.
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 development, troops of Sector 5, Operation UDO KA, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a follow-up operation that led to the recovery of two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), 45 rounds of 7.62mm x 51 ammunition and one Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
The Army said the recovery of the weapons and explosive device had further denied criminal elements the means to threaten the safety and security of communities across the South-East.
The Nigerian Army described the voluntary surrender of weapons as a positive indication that sustained military operations, combined with strategic engagement and cooperation with other security agencies, are producing tangible results.
The Army reaffirmed its determination to maintain the operational momentum until criminal networks in the region are dismantled and lasting peace and stability are restored.
It also urged residents to continue providing security agencies with timely and credible information, stressing that community support remains essential to strengthening intelligence-driven operations and sustaining security gains across the South-East.
Army Records Fresh Breakthrough in South-East as Militants Surrender Arms, Weapons, IED Recovered