Troops of the Nigerian Army under the operational command of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army have arrested two suspected arms suppliers and recovered 192 rounds of ammunition during a security operation in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The arrests were carried out by personnel of the 13 Brigade Nigerian Army during a stop-and-search operation at the Obubra checkpoint at about 12:58 p.m. on Friday.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Assistant Director Army Public Relations
Headquarters 13 Brigade, Yemi Sokoya, shared on the Nigerian Army’s Facebook page on Saturday.
According to the statement, the suspects identified as Sunday Ayam and Afriday Augustus were intercepted while attempting to pass through the checkpoint.
It was gathered that the Troops reportedly discovered 192 rounds of Norinco and .223 Remington ammunition in their possession, types commonly used with AK-pattern rifles.
Military sources said the interception forms part of ongoing operations aimed at consolidating recent security gains in the Odonget Community area of Obubra.
The development follows earlier operations in which troops neutralised five suspected armed criminals and uncovered an illegal gun manufacturing facility during exploitation operations conducted after an ambush on security personnel responding to a communal crisis in the Odonget general area.
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Preliminary assessments by the military suggest that the arrested suspects and the recovered ammunition may be connected to the ongoing hostilities around Odonget.
The suspects are currently in military custody while investigations continue to determine the source of the ammunition, its intended destination and the suspects’ possible involvement in recent security disturbances in the area.
Commander of the 13 Brigade, Patrick Alimikhena, commended the vigilance and professionalism of the troops, stating that the arrest demonstrates the effectiveness of ongoing operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating within the brigade’s area of responsibility.
Alimikhena reassured residents that troops would sustain aggressive patrols, checkpoints and other security operations to prevent the movement of illegal arms and maintain peace and security across the area.
He also urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and support security agencies with timely and credible information to aid efforts to apprehend criminal elements and sustain the prevailing peace.