Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under the Joint Task Force (JTF) South East, Operation UDO KA, have arrested a suspected key armourer and logistics courier linked to attacks on oil installations and security personnel in Imo State, recovering a large cache of arms and ammunition during an intelligence-led operation.

The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X handle on Thursday.

According to the statement, the operation was carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, July 1, 2026, following credible intelligence. Troops conducted a deliberate search-and-raid operation along the Akpe Aggah–Egbema Forest axis, leading to the arrest of the suspect at Obiakpu Forest in the Ohaji–Egbema area of Imo State.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly served as the principal armourer and logistics coordinator for a criminal group responsible for attacks on oil installations and troops deployed in the Ohaji–Egbema axis.

The operation also resulted in the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition, including one AK-47 rifle, one M4A1 carbine, one M16A2 rifle, six magazines, five pump-action guns, a locally fabricated pistol and a large quantity of assorted ammunition.

The Army described the recovery as a major blow to the operational capability and logistics network of the criminal group.

“The recovery represents a major disruption to the group’s operational capability and logistics chain,” the statement said.

The Army added that the suspect is currently in custody and will undergo further investigation to facilitate follow-on operations aimed at identifying, apprehending and dismantling other members and collaborators of the criminal network.

Reaffirming its commitment to combating insecurity in the South East, the Nigerian Army said it would sustain aggressive operations against criminal elements threatening national security and critical economic assets.

It also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely, credible and actionable intelligence through established security channels.