Troops nab three suspects linked to May ambush on soldiers in Delta

Troops of 34 Artillery Brigade under Operation UDOKA have arrested three members of a criminal syndicate linked to the ambush of troops on May 4, 2026, and recovered stolen weapons and other arms during intelligence-led operations.

In a Saturday statement, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni said the operation was conducted under the ongoing Operation EASTERN SANITY II.

According to the statement, the May 4 ambush claimed the life of one soldier and left another wounded.

Following the attack, troops launched a series of raids to apprehend the perpetrators and recover weapons stolen during the incident.

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

The operation led to the arrest of the three suspects popularly known as Chiboy, Marathon, and Onowu, who had fled to Oleh after the ambush.

The suspects subsequently guided troops to their hideouts at Aggah Plantation, Ekpeaggah in Rivers State, and Umudike Plantation, where the stolen weapons and other arms were concealed.

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

Additional recoveries include three more AK-47 rifles with nine magazines, pistols with magazines, 194 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, and 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.

The military spokesman said troops also recovered military clothing and protective gear, including camouflage shirts, trousers, jungle hats, and a fragment protection jacket, as well as one empty first aid box and five mobile phones believed to be linked to the syndicate’s criminal activities.

Ayeni said the suspects are currently in custody for further investigation and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Headquarters Joint Task Force South-East, Operation UDOKA, commended the professionalism, resilience, and inter-agency cooperation demonstrated by the troops.

“This success underscores the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies to safeguarding lives and dismantling criminal networks in order to sustain the peace-building processes ongoing across the region,” the statement added.