Troops of Operation Udo Ka have intercepted a truck laden with over 164,000 live cartridges in Anambra state.
Gatekeepers News reports that the weapons were allegedly bound for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The seizure was the result of a coordinated effort involving Sector 5 troops, operatives of the 63 Brigade, and Department of State Services (DSS), based on 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.
His confession led to the arrest of a second suspect, Uchenna Obiora, was reportedly waiting to receive the delivery when troops swooped, at the Onitsha–Awka tollgate the following day.
One of the sources was quoted as saying, “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.”
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. In January, he was previously arrested during a joint operation involving troops and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), after an attempted escape led to him being shot and hospitalized. He was later handed over to police authorities but was apparently released before resurfacing in the same illicit arms trade.
