Operation UDOKA Troops Arrest Suspected Criminal Syndicate, Recover Stolen Military Weapons
Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under Operation UDOKA have arrested key members of a notorious criminal syndicate linked to the deadly ambush of soldiers on 4 May 2026, during which one soldier was killed and another injured.
The operation, carried out under the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II, followed a series of intelligence driven raids aimed at tracking down the suspects and recovering weapons stolen during the attack.
According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, troops, in collaboration with the 181 Battalion under the 63 Brigade, conducted a coordinated raid on 31 July 2026 at Opaebe and Oleh in Delta State.
The operation led to the arrest of three suspects identified as Chiboy, Marathon, and Onowu, who had reportedly fled to Oleh after the ambush.
The suspects later led troops to their hideouts at Aggah Plantation, Ekpeaggah in Rivers State, and Umudike Plantation, where stolen military weapons and other arms were concealed.
Items recovered included one stolen AK 47 rifle with two magazines, one stolen FN rifle with two magazines, three additional AK 47 rifles with nine magazines, pistols with magazines, 194 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
Troops also recovered military camouflage uniforms, jungle hats, a fragment protection jacket, an empty first aid box and five mobile phones believed to have been used in the syndicate’s criminal operations.
The suspects are currently in military custody and will be prosecuted after investigations.
The Headquarters Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDOKA, commended the professionalism and collaboration among security agencies, stating that the successful operation demonstrates the Armed Forces’ commitment to dismantling criminal networks and sustaining peace across the South East and adjoining areas.
