Troops of 63 Brigade/Sector 1 of the Joint Task Force, South South, Operation DELTA SAFE, have dismantled a criminal gang and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition during coordinated operations in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The operations, carried out around Ibusa following credible intelligence, led to the arrest of two suspected members of a notorious cult group allegedly terrorising the area.
This was disclosed in a statement accompanied by photos shared on the Nigerian Army’s Facebook page on Saturday.
According to the statement, the suspects were apprehended during a targeted raid on identified hideouts linked to the gang’s recent activities.
During the initial operation, troops recovered two pump-action rifles from the suspects. An additional three pump-action rifles were also retrieved from individuals identified as purported local vigilantes.
All suspects and recovered weapons were handed over to the appropriate security agency for further investigation and prosecution.
In a follow-up operation, troops combed surrounding communities, leading to the recovery of eight more pump-action rifles at Umuisiagba.
Thirteen additional suspects were arrested in connection with the arms recoveries.
Those apprehended include Nwaokonta Elvis, Obi Victor Woke, Uba Elijah, Nonso Ibiora, Dumbili Ezefili, Ndefu Ifeanyi, Ozemene Richard, Broderick Patrick.
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Others are Nwaokonta Afamefile, Kelvin Ejiani, Victor Ogochukwu, Ogadi Kelvin Ikechukwu, and Ndibuisi Obiogonna, identified as a native doctor.
Commenting on the operation, the Commander of 63 Brigade, Brigadier General M.A. Shonibare, commended the troops for their vigilance and professionalism.
He charged them to sustain the momentum and clamp down on all criminal networks operating within the brigade’s area of responsibility.
The commander reassured residents of Delta State and neighbouring areas of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to prioritising the safety of lives and property, stressing that sustained operations would continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action.
