Nigerian Army Cracks Down on Notorious Gang, Recovers Stolen Arms in Delta, Rivers States

In a major breakthrough, the Nigerian Army has successfully apprehended three key suspects linked to the deadly ambush that resulted in the death of a soldier and the injury of another. The arrests were made possible through a coordinated operation that spanned multiple states, including Rivers, Delta, and Imo. According to Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, the Acting Deputy Director of the Army Public Relations for the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, the operation was the culmination of months of intelligence-driven pursuit by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under Operation UDO KA (OPUK). The ambush, which occurred on May 4, 2026, had led to the theft of military weapons, prompting a sustained effort by the troops to track down the perpetrators. The investigation, which involved the interrogation of previously arrested gang members, identified the principal suspects as Albert Tony, also known as 'Chiboy,' Temple Eburua, alias 'Marathon,' and Vitalis Eburua, alias 'Onowu.' The suspects had initially fled to Port Harcourt in Rivers State before relocating to Oleh in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, with the assistance of an associate identified as Mr. Abire. Following the arrest of Abire in Port Harcourt on July 30, the troops were able to track down the suspects to their hideout in Oleh, where they were apprehended in the early hours of July 31. The suspects subsequently led the troops to their hideouts in Ohaji/Egbema and Umudike Plantation, where the stolen military weapons were concealed. The operation resulted in the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, one FN rifle, and two FN rifle magazines. Additional arms and ammunition recovered from the suspects included three AK-47 rifles, nine AK-47 magazines, one pistol with its magazine, 194 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition. The suspects are currently in custody and will face prosecution in accordance with the law. The success of the operation has been attributed to the professionalism, resilience, and inter-agency cooperation demonstrated by the troops, and it underscores the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to safeguarding lives and dismantling criminal networks.