Troops Bust Criminal Hideout, Recover Arms and Ammunition in Rivers
Troops of Sector 4, Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, have recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during an intelligence led operation targeting criminal elements in Rivers State.
The operation, conducted in the early hours of July 23, 2026, focused on a suspected criminal hideout at Awara Community Waterside in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area, as well as areas along the Omoku, Ogbaku and Ndoni axis.
Acting on credible intelligence, the troops raided a forest enclave believed to have been used by criminal elements as a staging ground for planning kidnappings and attacks against security personnel and civilians.
Items recovered during the operation included one Lee Enfield MK I rifle, one G3 rifle, 116 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition and 13 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
The Nigerian Army said the operation is still ongoing as troops continue efforts to completely clear the area of criminal elements and other forms of criminality.
The latest seizure is reportedly the fourth successful recovery of illegal arms and ammunition by troops within the last two weeks, reflecting the impact of intelligence driven operations and increased cooperation between the military, other security agencies and members of the public.
The Army said the sustained offensive is putting pressure on criminal networks, weakening their operational capabilities and limiting their ability to threaten lives and property across the South East.
The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations against criminal elements until they are denied safe havens and brought to justice.
It also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that collective vigilance remains essential to achieving lasting peace and security across the South East and Nigeria.
