Troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, operating under Operation UDOKA, have arrested key members of a notorious criminal gang during raids on their hideouts and recovered weapons stolen from soldiers in Delta and Rivers States.

A statement on Saturday by Olabisi Ayeni, the spokesman for the operation, said one soldier was killed and another wounded during an ambush by the criminals on May 4, 2026.

He said following the attack, troops launched a series of intelligence-led operations aimed at apprehending the perpetrators and recovering the stolen weapons.

According to him, the sustained operations led to the arrest of the suspects.

“Acting on actionable intelligence, in the early hours of 31 July 2026, troops in collaboration with 181 Battalion operating under 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, conducted a coordinated raid at Opaebe and Oleh in Delta State,” Mr Ayeni said.

He said the operation led to the arrest of suspects identified by their aliases as Chiboy, Marathon, and Onowu, who had fled to Oleh in Delta State after the ambush on the troops.

Mr Ayeni said the suspects later led troops to their hideouts at Aggah Plantation, Ekpeaggah, Rivers State, and Umudike Plantation, where the stolen service weapons and other arms used in their criminal activities were hidden.

“During the operation, troops recovered the stolen service weapons comprising one AK-47 rifle with two magazines and one FN rifle with two magazines. 

“Additionally, troops recovered three more AK-47 rifles with nine magazines, pistols with their magazines, 194 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition,” he said. 

The spokesperson added that troops also recovered military clothing and protective gear, including camouflage shirts, trousers, jungle hats, and a fragment protection jacket.

Other items recovered included an empty first aid box and five mobile phones believed to be linked to the syndicate’s criminal activities.

“The suspects are currently in custody for further investigation and will face prosecution in accordance with the law,” he added.