The Nigerian Army has recorded another breakthrough in its sustained offensive against criminal elements in the South-East, recovering a cache of arms and ammunition during a precision intelligence-led operation in Rivers State.
The operation was carried out by troops of Sector 4, Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDO KA (OPUK), in the early hours of Thursday, July 23, 2026. It targeted a suspected criminal hideout at Awara Community Waterside in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area and along the Omoku–Ogbaku–Ndoni axis, The News Chronicle reports.
Acting on credible intelligence, the troops stormed a forest enclave believed to have served as a staging base for kidnappers and other armed criminals planning attacks on security personnel and innocent residents.
During the raid, the troops recovered one Lee-Enfield MK I rifle, one G3 rifle, 116 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition and 13 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. Military authorities said clearance operations are ongoing to flush out all criminal elements from the area.
The Army described the latest recovery as the fourth successful seizure of illegal arms and ammunition by its troops within the past two weeks, attributing the success to intelligence-driven operations and improved collaboration with other security agencies and members of the public.
According to the military, the sustained operations have continued to weaken criminal networks, disrupt their activities and reduce their capacity to threaten lives and property across the region.
Reaffirming its commitment to restoring lasting peace and security, the Nigerian Army said it would continue aggressive, intelligence-led operations alongside other security agencies until criminal groups are dismantled and denied safe havens.
The Army also urged members of the public to support ongoing operations by providing timely and credible intelligence, stressing that collective vigilance remains vital to achieving lasting peace and stability in the South-East and across Nigeria.
