Nigerian Army troops under Operation UDO KA have intensified operations across the South-East, apprehending a suspected gunrunner and raiding criminal hideouts in Abia and Imo states.
According to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, troops in collaboration with other security agencies arrested the suspected gunrunner in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was involved in transporting weapons to criminal elements through a third party from Bayelsa State. Efforts are ongoing to recover the weapons and apprehend other members of the network.
In a related development in Imo State, troops were ambushed while assessing a burnt vehicle along the SPDC–Etekuru road in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area.
“Troops subsequently exploited the area and recovered two burnt vehicles as well as two corpses, which were evacuated for further action,” the report stated.
Separately, troops working with local vigilantes raided a suspected cultist hideout in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, arresting five suspects. One of the suspects has offered to lead troops to a suspected armoury in the area.
The operations, the Army said, shows ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and restore security across the South-East.
