Troops recover cache of arms in Imo forest raid

Troops of Operation UDO KA have raided a  forest in Imo State and arrested a suspected key armourer and logistics courier linked to attacks on oil installations and security forces.

The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement posted on its official X handle on Thursday, noting that it also recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition during an intelligence-led operation.

The statement disclosed that acting on credible intelligence, troops conducted a deliberate search and raid operation along the Akpe Aggah–Egbema Forest axis in the early hours of 1 July 2026, leading to the arrest of a suspected armourer and logistics kingpin at Obiakpu Forest.

According to the statement, preliminary findings indicate that the suspect served as the principal armourer for the criminal group responsible for attacks against oil installations and troops deployed in the Ohaji–Egbema area.

The army further revealed that the operation led to the recovery of a significant 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 recovery represents a major disruption to the group’s operational capability and logistics chain.

“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,” the army said.