Soldiers from 14 Brigade Nigerian Army have arrested three men accused of dealing in illegal weapons across Arochukwu in Abia State. The operation took place on June 7, 2026, under Operation Eastern Sanity II.
Acting Assistant Director Mazinho Attah confirmed the arrests in a statement from 14 Brigade headquarters in Ohafia. Troops from the brigade's garrison and military intelligence unit carried out the raid early that morning.
The cordon-and-search operation targeted Amaetiti Iheshiowa community in the local government area. Intelligence reports had flagged the location for illegal arms trafficking activities.
Three suspects were taken into custody: Francis Ifere, 37; Oso Kalu, 40; and Ifere Oti, 32. They faced charges relating to unlicensed weapons possession.
Officers recovered seven locally made Dane guns from the suspects during the operation. Twenty-two live cartridges were also seized as evidence.
A motorcycle and a bus belonging to Stephen Kalu were impounded at the scene. According to the military, Kalu fled the area before troops arrived.
Security agencies worked alongside the soldiers to execute the raid successfully. The coordinated effort reflects ongoing efforts to combat arms proliferation in the region.
14 Brigade says its troops will maintain night patrols across battalion areas going forward. Officials said the operations aim to restrict criminals and protect residents and their property.
