The Nigerian Army has recorded a significant breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against criminal groups operating in parts of the South-East and South-South, following the arrest of three suspected members of an armed syndicate accused of carrying out a deadly attack on military personnel earlier this year.
The coordinated operation, which stretched across Rivers, Delta and Imo states, also resulted in the recovery of military weapons allegedly stolen from soldiers during the attack, as well as additional firearms, ammunition, tactical equipment and communication devices believed to have been used by the suspects.
Military authorities described the operation as another major step in their determination to dismantle violent criminal networks and strengthen security across the affected regions.
The development was announced in a statement released on Saturday by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Nigerian Army.
According to the statement, the arrests were made after months of intelligence gathering and coordinated operations carried out by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under Operation UDOKA through the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II.
The military explained that the investigation began after armed attackers ambushed troops on May 4, 2026. During the assault, one soldier was killed while another sustained injuries. The assailants also escaped with military rifles and other service equipment, prompting an intensive manhunt by security forces.
Following the incident, troops reportedly launched a series of intelligence-driven raids aimed at identifying everyone connected to the attack and recovering the stolen weapons.
The Army disclosed that information obtained during the interrogation of previously arrested suspects proved instrumental in tracking down the principal members of the criminal gang.
Investigators eventually identified the three key suspects as Albert Tony, popularly known as “Chiboy,” Temple Eburua, also called “Marathon,” and Vitalis Eburua, who is widely known by the alias “Onowu.”
Further intelligence gathered by security operatives revealed that after the ambush, the suspects fled to Port Harcourt in Rivers State before relocating to Oleh in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State in an attempt to evade arrest.
According to the military, the suspects were assisted during their escape by an associate identified as Mr. Abire.
The investigation took a decisive turn on July 30 when troops apprehended Abire in Port Harcourt. During questioning, he reportedly provided useful information that led security personnel to the hideout where the three principal suspects had been staying.
Armed with the fresh intelligence, troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade immediately mobilised for another operation.
In the early hours of July 31, they joined forces with personnel of the 181 Battalion operating under the 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army to carry out coordinated raids in Opaebe and Oleh communities in Delta State.
The operation ended with the successful arrest of the three wanted suspects, bringing months of painstaking intelligence work to a major milestone.
Military authorities said the suspects later cooperated with investigators by leading troops to several camps and hideouts where weapons and operational materials had been concealed.
Searches conducted at Aggah Plantation in Ekpeaggah, Rivers State, Umudike Plantation, and other identified locations uncovered a cache of weapons and military equipment believed to have been linked to the criminal syndicate.
Among the recovered items were service rifles reportedly stolen from the soldiers during the May ambush.
The Army listed the recovered military weapons as one AK-47 rifle with two magazines and one FN rifle with two magazines.
Troops also recovered three additional AK-47 rifles, nine AK-47 magazines, one pistol with its magazine, 194 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and a fragmentation protection jacket.
The operation further led to the recovery of military camouflage shirts, trousers, jungle hats and other protective gear.
Security operatives also seized an empty military first-aid box and five mobile phones believed to contain information that could assist ongoing investigations into the activities of the gang and possible links to other criminal operations.
The Nigerian Army confirmed that all three suspects remain in custody and will face prosecution after the completion of investigations.
Military authorities noted that intelligence exploitation is still ongoing, suggesting that further arrests or recoveries may be made as investigators continue to trace other members and collaborators of the syndicate.
Commending the troops involved in the operation, the Headquarters Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDOKA, praised their professionalism, discipline and resilience throughout the mission.
The military also acknowledged the effective collaboration between different Army formations, describing inter-agency cooperation and intelligence sharing as critical factors that contributed to the success of the operation.
According to the Army, the latest arrests demonstrate its continued commitment to denying criminal groups safe havens and recovering weapons that could otherwise be used to threaten lives and public safety.
Authorities reiterated that operations against armed criminal groups would continue across the region as part of wider efforts to restore peace, protect communities and ensure that individuals responsible for attacks on security personnel and innocent citizens are brought before the law.
The military assured Nigerians that troops remain committed to sustaining pressure on criminal elements and strengthening security through intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling violent networks across the country.
