Troops of Operation Udo Ka have intercepted a truck laden with “over 164,000 live cartridges” in Anambra state.
The weapons were allegedly bound for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The discovery followed a joint operation by Sector 5 troops of Operation Udo Ka, operatives of the 63 Brigade, and the Department of State Services (DSS), based on what military sources described as “credible intelligence”.
Security officials told Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, that a suspected arms courier identified as Emeka Omenife was arrested on May 29 along the Asaba–Onitsha expressway.
Omenife, who was reportedly en route to deliver the consignment, was immediately handed over to the DSS.
He allegedly confessed to being part of a transnational arms smuggling syndicate that transports ammunition from Ghana into Nigeria for separatist militias operating in the south-east.
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His confession led to the arrest of a second suspect, Uchenna Obiora, at the Onitsha–Awka tollgate the following day.
Obiora was reportedly waiting to receive the delivery when troops swooped.
“Upon interception, the vehicle was moved to Onitsha Cantonment, where a thorough search revealed a total of 164,650 live cartridges hidden in four constructed compartments within the cargo bed of the truck,” one of the sources was quoted as saying.
The source added that the ammunition, suspected to have originated from Ghana, was destined for Onitsha.
Makama noted that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the smuggling network.
Security sources also said Omenife had a history with law enforcement.
On January 22, he was arrested by troops and officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) at his residence in Onitsha Housing Estate.
He allegedly tried to flee and was shot in the buttocks before being taken for treatment at the 302 Army Regiment Medical Services.
He was later transferred to the Anambra state police criminal investigation department in Akwuzu.
His re-arrest just months later has raised questions about how he was released and whether he had returned to the same illicit arms trade.
The army said the operation underscores the ongoing threat posed by arms trafficking to national security, especially in regions facing separatist agitations.
