Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation UDOKA have dismantled a suspected criminal syndicate linked to the deadly ambush of soldiers in May, recovering stolen military weapons and arresting key members of the group during coordinated operations in Rivers and Delta states.
The operation, carried out by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II, targeted suspects believed to be responsible for the ambush on May 4, 2026, in which one soldier was killed and another sustained injuries.
According to a statement issued by the Headquarters Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDOKA, troops launched sustained intelligence-led operations following the attack to track down those responsible and recover weapons stolen during the incident.
The statement said that acting on credible intelligence, troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, in collaboration with personnel of the 181 Battalion operating under the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, conducted coordinated raids in Opaebe and Oleh, Delta State, in the early hours of July 31, 2026.
The operation led to the arrest of three key suspects identified by their aliases as Chiboy, Marathon, and Onowu, who allegedly fled to Oleh after the attack on the troops.
Following their arrest, the suspects reportedly led security operatives to their hideouts at Aggah Plantation, Ekpeaggah, Rivers State, and Umudike Plantation, where the stolen military weapons and other arms used in criminal activities were concealed.
Troops recovered the two service rifles stolen during the ambush, comprising one AK-47 rifle with two magazines and one FN rifle with two magazines.
Security operatives also recovered an additional three AK-47 rifles with nine magazines, pistols with magazines, 194 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.
Other items recovered included military camouflage uniforms, jungle hats, trousers, a fragment protection jacket, an empty first aid box, and five mobile phones believed to be connected to the syndicate’s activities.
The suspects are currently in military custody and are expected to face prosecution after the conclusion of investigations.
Commending the troops, the Headquarters Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDOKA, praised the professionalism, resilience and effective inter-agency collaboration that led to the successful operation.
It noted that the latest breakthrough underscores the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to dismantling criminal networks, recovering stolen military assets and sustaining ongoing peace-building efforts across the South-East and adjoining areas.
