Troops arrest alleged killers of soldier, recover stolen rifles in interstate operation

By Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested three suspected members of a criminal gang linked to the ambush that killed a soldier and injured another in May, recovering stolen military weapons and additional firearms during a coordinated operation spanning Rivers, Delta and Imo states.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the arrests followed months of intelligence-driven pursuit by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under Operation UDO KA (OPUK) after the ambush on troops on May 4, 2026, during which the attackers carted away military weapons.

According to the sources, sustained raid operations and the interrogation of previously arrested gang members yielded actionable intelligence that identified the principal suspects as Albert Tony, also known as “Chiboy,” Temple Eburua, alias “Marathon,” and Vitalis Eburua, alias “Onowu.”

The investigation further revealed that the suspects had initially fled to Port Harcourt, 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.

The sources said troops apprehended Abire in Port Harcourt on July 30, and during interrogation, he disclosed the suspects’ whereabouts in Oleh.

Acting on the intelligence, troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade moved to Delta State in the early hours of July 31, where they linked up with personnel of the 181 Battalion and carried out a raid at Opaebe, Oleh, leading to the arrest of the three suspects.

Following their arrest, the suspects reportedly led troops to their hideout in Ohaji/Egbema, where they had concealed military weapons stolen during the May ambush. Further exploitation also uncovered another camp at Umudike Plantation.

During the operations, troops recovered military weapons stolen from the slain soldiers, 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, 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and one fragmentation jacket.

Troops also recovered other items believed to be connected to the gang’s criminal activities.

The suspects are currently in the custody of the 34 Artillery Brigade, where they are undergoing further interrogation to uncover the full extent of the network and identify other accomplices.

Military sources described the operation as a major breakthrough in efforts to track down those responsible for attacks on security personnel, noting that the recovery of the stolen service weapons would significantly aid ongoing investigations and strengthen security operations in the South-East.