Summary
Nigerian Army troops have arrested three suspected members of a criminal gang linked to the killing of a soldier.
Security forces recovered stolen military rifles, ammunition and other weapons during raids in Delta and Rivers states.
The suspects are in custody and will face prosecution after further investigations.
The Nigerian Army has arrested three suspected members of a criminal syndicate allegedly responsible for the deadly ambush that claimed the life of a soldier and left another injured, recovering stolen military weapons and other firearms during coordinated operations across Rivers, Delta and Imo states. Read original
The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, announced the breakthrough in a statement issued on Saturday, saying the operation followed months of intelligence gathering by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under Operation UDO KA.
According to the Army, the suspects were linked to the May 4, 2026 attack on military personnel, during which service weapons were stolen after one soldier was killed.
Investigations identified the suspects as Albert Tony, popularly known as "Chiboy," Temple Eburua, also called "Marathon," and Vitalis Eburua, known as "Onowu."
The Army said intelligence revealed that the suspects 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.
Abire was arrested in Port Harcourt on July 30 and reportedly provided information that led troops to the suspects' hideout.
Acting on the intelligence, soldiers from the 34 Artillery Brigade joined forces with personnel of the 181 Battalion and carried out a raid in Opaebe, Oleh, on July 31, leading to the arrest of the three suspects.
Following their arrest, the suspects allegedly directed troops to hideouts in Ohaji/Egbema and Umudike Plantation, where weapons stolen during the ambush and other arms were hidden.
The Army said the recovered items included one AK-47 rifle with two magazines, one FN rifle with two magazines, three additional AK-47 rifles, nine AK-47 magazines, one pistol with its magazine, 194 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and a fragmentation protection jacket.
Military uniforms, camouflage clothing, jungle hats, an empty first aid box and five mobile phones believed to be connected to the gang's activities were also recovered.
"Following the attack, troops launched a series of intelligence-led raids aimed at apprehending the perpetrators and recovering weapons stolen during the incident. These sustained operations resulted in the arrest of the suspects," the Army said.
The statement added that the suspects are currently in military custody and will be prosecuted after investigations are concluded.
The Army commended the professionalism of the troops and the cooperation among security agencies involved in the operation.
"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.
