Troops of 82 Division and Joint Task Force South East (OPUK) have apprehended a suspected member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) and recovered Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) during clearance operations in Imo.

This was contained in an operational report on Monday in Abuja.

The reports said the suspect, identified as Onyebuchi Dara (28), from Etinasa community in Orsu Local Government Area, was arrested at Ehioma Junction following actionable intelligence linked to earlier attacks on security personnel.

The report said the suspect had previously benefitted from an amnesty programme but went underground after reportedly fearing attacks from a suspected armed group leader known as “Gentle the Yahoo”.

“Preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspect allegedly admitted being present during the killing of two soldiers, retired MWO Linus Musa and Pte Gloria Matthew, at Ubaha–Orsu in 2022.

“He is currently in custody as investigations continue to track other suspects and dismantle remaining cells in the area.

“In a related operation, troops conducting clearance operations along the Akwu–Udah axis discovered five Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in an area abandoned for years.

“The devices were safely neutralised by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts at designated coordinates, preventing potential harm to troops and civilians.

“Troops also recovered military and vigilante uniforms, boots and other items suspected to be used for impersonation and operational support by criminal elements,” it said.

The report further revealed that operations in the area were ongoing as part of sustained efforts to degrade hostile networks and restore security in the South-East.

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 30 suspected kidnappers, four gunrunners and recovered five firearms with live ammunition during operations carried out across the state in April.

The Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing on the command’s achievements for the month.

He said the command also arrested six suspected car thieves and recovered four stolen vehicles within the period under review.

According to him, the successes were recorded through sustained intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols and coordinated tactical operations against criminal elements.

Muhammad said among the recovered weapons was an anti-riot gun and other locally fabricated firearms.

He said on April 16, operatives of the Anti-Car Theft Unit, acting on intelligence, engaged suspected bandits along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway near the toll gate.

The commissioner said the suspects fled into a nearby bush with gunshot wounds, abandoning one AK-47 rifle and eight rounds of live ammunition.

He added that investigations were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Muhammad also said police rescued a seven-year-old kidnapped child, following a report by his father, Abdullahi Idris, of Anchau in Kubau Local Government Area.

He said the victim was abducted while returning from school, while the kidnappers demanded N40 million ransom.

According to him, swift action by the Divisional Police Officer in Anchau led to the rescue of the child in Maigana, Soba Local Government Area, while a suspect was later arrested in Malumfashi, Katsina State.

He said the suspect had confessed and was assisting police investigation.

The commissioner further said detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department arrested a suspect in possession of a suspected stolen Toyota Corolla, while another suspected stolen Hyundai vehicle was also recovered.

He said further investigation led to the arrest of an accomplice in Kano State.

Muhammad said police operatives also arrested one suspect at Kurmin Zaki, in possession of a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle.

He said a patrol team from Kawo Division also recovered an anti-riot long-range gun, two short-range shells and one long-range shell abandoned by a fleeing suspect near Kawo Flyover.

The commissioner said in another operation, a surveillance team from Zaria Area Command arrested one suspect with 44 wraps of suspected cannabis.

He said the suspect was in custody while the investigation continued.

Muhammad said police also tracked and recovered a stolen Toyota Corolla in Katsina State after it was allegedly stolen from a mechanic workshop in Zaria.

He said a suspect was found in possession of the vehicle and was being investigated.

The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety of lives and property across Kaduna State.

He appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, Olutunji Disu, Kaduna State Government and residents for their support and cooperation.

Muhammad urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 748.02kg of controlled pharmaceutical drugs, including large consignments of tramadol, along the Benin-Lagos Expressway.

The State Commander of NDLEA in Edo, Dr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen  in Benin City on the agency’s latest operational breakthrough against interstate drug trafficking.

Ofoyeju said the operation followed directives of the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig.

He explained that on April 23, operatives of the command intercepted a Mercedes-Benz truck branded with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) insignia and bearing registration number FCT NLC 146 FC.

According to him, the truck was conveying 95 cartons, containing 1,196,000 capsules and tablets of psychotropic substances from Lagos to Onitsha, Anambra.

He said two suspected members of the drug cartel were arrested in connection with the seizure.

“The intercepted truck was found to be transporting an alarming total of 748.02 kilogrammes of controlled substances,” he said.

He listed the seizure to include 23 cartons of Tramadol 100mg containing 440,000 capsules weighing 264kg; 40 cartons of Tramadol 50mg containing 600,000 capsules weighing 180kg; seven cartons of Rohypnol containing 84,000 tablets weighing 25.2kg.

Others, he said, included 19 cartons of Diazepam injection containing 76,000 ampoules, weighing 242.82kg, and six cartons of Bromazepam containing 72,000 tablets weighing 36kg.

Ofoyeju said the truck was intercepted during a routine motorised patrol, and described the development as a major success in the agency’s sustained efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks threatening public health and safety.

He expressed concern over the increasing trafficking of dangerous pharmaceutical substances, particularly opioids such as tramadol, warning of their devastating effects on youths and communities.

“The trafficking of high volumes of controlled drugs, particularly potent opioids like tramadol, poses a dire threat to our youth and society at large.

“These substances are linked to addiction, health emergencies, and even fatalities.

“The NDLEA remains vigilant in our mission to eradicate drug abuse, and traffickers must understand that the long arm of the law will catch up with them,” he said.

The commander said the suspects were currently in custody and would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

He also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities related to drug trafficking and abuse.

He assured that the agency would continue to collaborate with community leaders, families and other stakeholders in the fight against illicit drugs.