Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 14 Brigade have arrested three suspected arms dealers and recovered weapons during an operation in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State. The raid, carried out under Operation Eastern Sanity II, took place in the early hours of June 7, 2026.
According to a press release from Mazinho Attah, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for 14 Brigade in Ohafia, soldiers from the 14 Brigade Garrison and the 14 Military Intelligence Regiment conducted a cordon-and-search operation at Amaetiti Iheshiowa community.
The operation was done in conjunction with other security agencies and was based on credible intelligence about the spread of arms in the area.
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The three suspects arrested were identified as Francis Ifere, 37, Oso Kalu, 40, and Ifere Oti, 32. Items recovered from them include seven locally fabricated Dane guns, 22 live cartridges, one motorcycle, and a bus. The army said the bus belonged to one Stephen Kalu, who fled before troops arrived and has since been impounded.
The statement added that troops across the brigade’s battalion areas continue to carry out night patrols and routine security operations. The aim is to deny criminal elements freedom of action and ensure the safety of lives and property in Abia State and beyond.
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