In a major breakthrough in the fight against arms trafficking and insurgency in the South East, troops of Sector 5, Operation UDO KA, in collaboration with the 63 Brigade and the Department of State Services (DSS), have intercepted a truck loaded with a massive cache of ammunition and arrested two suspected logistics suppliers for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
According to a statement signed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General MG Kangye, the operation was carried out following credible intelligence and led to the interception of a truck with Lagos registration number EKY 642 YC, which was ingeniously modified to conceal arms under its cargo floor.
The truck, which was stopped along the Asaba–Onitsha Expressway, was later moved to the Onitsha Cantonment for a thorough search. A total of 164,650 live cartridges were recovered from four specially constructed hidden compartments. Preliminary investigations suggest the ammunition was smuggled into Nigeria from Ghana, with Onitsha identified as the distribution hub.
The operation also led to the arrest of Mr. Emeka Omenife, who was initially picked up around 11:10 p.m. on Sunday, May 25, 2025. While no arms were found on him at the time, his interrogation revealed vital details about the arms supply network. Acting on this intelligence, security forces arrested his accomplice, Mr. Uchenna Obiora, at the Onitsha–Awka Toll Gate on Thursday, May 30, while he was reportedly waiting to receive the shipment.
Security sources disclosed that this is not the first time Mr. Omenife has been arrested in connection with arms logistics for IPOB/ESN. In January 2024, he was arrested in a joint operation involving the Sector 5 team and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Tracking Team. During that encounter, he sustained a gunshot wound while attempting to escape but was later treated and handed over to the State CID in Akwuzu, Anambra State.
His re-arrest, authorities say, indicates a resurgence in his involvement with the arms smuggling syndicate and further emphasizes the importance of continued counterinsurgency operations in the region.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to dismantling all logistics networks supporting criminal and terrorist elements across the country,” the statement read. “We urge members of the public to continue providing credible information to aid ongoing operations.”
Pictures of the seized truck and recovered ammunition were shared with the press to demonstrate the scale of the operation.
