Nigerian Army Arrests Three Suspected Arms Dealers in Abia State

Troops of the Nigerian Army's 14 Brigade have reportedly arrested three suspected arms dealers and recovered weapons and ammunition during a targeted operation in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State.

The operation, conducted under Operation Eastern Sanity II, took place on June 7, 2026, in the Amaetiti Iheshiowa community. It was announced by Mazinho Attah, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Abia State, in an official press statement.

According to the Nigerian Army, troops from the 14 Brigade Garrison and the 14 Military Intelligence Regiment carried out a cordon-and-search operation in the early hours of June 7, working alongside other security agencies in the area.

The military said the operation was intelligence-driven, based on credible reports about the circulation of weapons and ammunition within the community.

Three individuals were arrested during the operation:

• Francis Ifere, 37
• Oso Kalu, 40
• Ifere Oti, 32

The Nigerian Army says the following items were found on or linked to the suspects:

• Seven locally made Dane guns
• 22 live rounds of ammunition
• One motorcycle
• One bus, allegedly belonging to a fourth individual, Stephen Kalu, who reportedly fled before troops arrived. The vehicle was seized in his absence.

The press statement noted that troops across all battalion areas under the 14 Brigade have continued to carry out routine security operations and night patrols. The military says the goal is to prevent criminal elements from operating freely and to protect lives and property in the region.

The three suspects are currently in military custody, and it is expected that they will be handed over to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for further investigation and prosecution.