Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies have arrested Chief Solomon Ogbuefi, a notorious gunrunner and weapon fabricator in Cross River State.
This was revealed on Thursday by Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations while Speaking with Defence Correspondents in Abuja at the biweekly briefing on ongoing military operations.
According to Buba, Chief Solomon, popularly known as Ogbuefi, was arrested at Ebom Eburutu in Abi Local Government Area of the State.
“Troops conducted a raid on the house of a notorious gunrunner and weapon fabricator identified as Chief Solomon, also known as Ogbuefi, at Ebom Eburutu in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State,” Buba said.
The Director of Defence Media Operations further explained that troops of Operation UDO KA also neutralised 93 terrorists, arrested 240 suspects, and rescued 75 kidnapped hostages.
He said the troops recovered 20 AK47 rifles, 47 pump-action guns, and 384 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, among other items during the operation.
“In the course of operations, troops of Operation UDO KA neutralised 180 combatants, arrested 354 IPOB/ESN criminals, and rescued 148 kidnapped hostages.
“Additionally, troops recovered 28 AK47 rifles, 44 pump-action guns, 58 assorted arms, and 3,456 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, among other items.
“Troops arrested high-profile members of IPOB/ESN, such as Mr Onwuha Onyebuchi at Agwu LGA of Enugu State. He and several others are assisting ongoing investigations.
“Troops also neutralised and arrested notorious extremists, gunrunners, as well as kidnappers.
“These include Ofem Emmanuel, Ejim Anthony Wisdom, Ogonna Igwe, Joseph Ugochukwu Alli, Chika Opko, Sunday Okpo, and Nnena Nkole,” Buba said.
He said the troops fighting insurgency in the country had neutralised 1,937 terrorists, arrested 2,782 suspects, and rescued 1,854 kidnapped hostages in the third quarter of the year.
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While acknowledging that all security challenges in the country could soon be a thing of the past, given the level of achievements recorded in the last quarter in addressing the menace, General Buba solicited more cooperation from the public in combating terrorist activities.
He declared that the terrorists were already on the verge of total surrender due to the intense pressure from the troops.