Odita Sunday 
How Arrested Kidnap Suspect Led Troops To Anambra Hideout, Weapons Cache
By Odita Sunday
The arrest of a suspected kidnapper after three victims were rescued in Anambra has led troops to a hidden camp where they recovered two AK-47 rifles, six other guns and more than 200 rounds of ammunition.
The breakthrough began after three people were abducted around the Osakwa General Area of Ihiala Local Government Area. Troops of Operation UDO KA, working with the Anambra Vigilante Group, rescued the victims and launched a follow-up operation to track those behind the abduction.
On October 1, troops arrested one of the suspected kidnappers, identified as Mr Sunday Obi. Information obtained during interrogation reportedly led security forces to a suspected syndicate camp at Abator in Ogbaru Local Government Area, across the Isieke waterside.
Troops of 185 Battalion and the vigilante group then made their way to the hideout by canoe and launched an assault on the camp.
The terrorists reportedly fled after troops engaged them with heavy firepower, some of them with gunshot wounds.
The operation yielded two AK-47 rifles with magazines, three pump-action guns and three locally fabricated Dane guns. Troops also recovered 62 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 149 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, along with two cartridges.
Materials suspected to be intended for the fabrication of improvised explosive devices were also recovered from the camp.
Beyond the weapons, troops found equipment that the Army said was supporting the group’s activities, including a solar generator, power bank, car battery, two motorcycle batteries, two solar panels and two mobile phones.
The discoveries are expected to provide further intelligence for efforts to track other members of the suspected network and those providing it with weapons, logistics and other support.
The Nigerian Army said follow-up operations were already underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects, their alleged collaborators, logistics suppliers and other facilitators.
It added that troops under Operation UDO KA would continue intelligence-led operations across the South-East in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders to disrupt kidnapping and terrorist activities and protect communities.
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