Troops of Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA have arrested an NSCDC armourer and a correctional officer over their alleged roles in an illegal arms supply network in Enugu State.
The Nigerian Army, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the arrests followed intelligence obtained from a suspected criminal arrested at Igah Community on June 28. During interrogation, the suspect allegedly identified Superintendent Tasie Victor Nnamdi, an armourer with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Enugu State Command, as his main source of weapons.
Acting on the information, troops arrested Nnamdi during a targeted operation at the New Market Filling Station in Enugu on June 29.
According to the Army, the NSCDC officer subsequently identified Chief Superintendent Augustine Mmuo of the NSCDC Delta State Command as his supplier of arms. He also allegedly named Assistant Superintendent of Corrections Ekwueme Onyebuchi Clement of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Enugu State Command, as one of his major buyers.
Troops later carried out a sting operation at Okpara Square, Enugu, on June 30, leading to Clement’s arrest. A search of his vehicle reportedly uncovered 30 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition.
The correctional officer allegedly told investigators that a civilian had supplied him with firearms on multiple occasions.
The Army said intelligence from the 82 Military Intelligence Brigade initially led to the arrest of Assistant Superintendent II Obaji Sampson of the NSCDC by troops of the 82 Division Provost Group and Sector 2 of Operation UDO KA. Subsequent investigations, it said, exposed what appeared to be an illegal arms supply chain involving security personnel.
In a related operation, troops of the 82 Division Garrison and Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA, working alongside the 82 Division Provost Group, raided a residence on Achara Road in the Trans-Ekulu Golf Estate area of Enugu State.
During the raid, security operatives arrested a suspected gun runner and alleged member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN), identified as Friday Nnanna.
Recovered items included 247 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 12 rounds of 9mm pistol ammunition, 29 live cartridges, four pump-action guns, a Beretta pistol, 11 vehicle registration plates, materials suspected to be used for making improvised explosive devices, assorted swords, a smoke tear gas canister, military accoutrements and four vehicles.
The Army said the suspect and all recovered exhibits remain in custody pending further investigation.
Meanwhile, 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.
Three suspects were arrested during the operation, while security personnel recovered two Dane guns, a 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.
The Army said investigations into the incidents were ongoing, adding that it would continue intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with other security agencies to combat criminal activities and enhance security across the country.
