By Sabiu Abdullahi
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Eastern Sanity II have arrested three suspected arms dealers and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition during a security operation in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State.
The arrest was announced in a statement issued on Sunday by Mazinho Attah, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for the 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia.
According to the statement, the operation took place in the early hours of June 7, 2026. Personnel from the 14 Brigade Garrison and the 14 Military Intelligence Regiment carried out a cordon-and-search exercise in Amaetiti Iheshiowa community in collaboration with other security agencies.
The Army said the operation followed credible intelligence reports about the presence and circulation of illegal arms and ammunition within the area.
During the exercise, security personnel arrested three suspects identified as Francis Ifere, 37; Oso Kalu, 40; and Ifere Oti, 32.
Items recovered from the suspects included seven locally made Dane guns, 22 live cartridges, and a motorcycle. Troops also impounded a bus said to belong to one Stephen Kalu, who reportedly escaped before security operatives arrived at the scene.
The Army stated that troops deployed across different battalion areas have continued to conduct night patrols and other routine security operations to prevent criminal activities and protect lives and property.