By Izunna Okafor, Awka
A notorious gunrunner has been arrested, while many locally-made bombs have been recovered as security operatives further their bombardment and clearance of the hideouts of gunmen terrorizing different parts of Anambra State and its environs.
According to a statement issued by the acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division,ย Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu; the latest clearance operation by โโOperation Udo Ka IIโโ badgered in the terrorists’ hideouts at Orsumoghu Forest in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He further revealed that some of the terrorists who came to fight the troops were gunned down, while some incriminating items, including military boots and belt, mobile phones, binoculars, leather hand gloves and police head warmer, among others were also recovered during the operation.
His statement read in part: โThe troops were able to dislodge the group; neutralised two of them, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
โItems recovered from the camps included a pair of military boots, one military belt, five mobile phones, one binoculars, leather hand gloves and police head warmer.
โOthers were one locally-made handheld IED and four locally-made IED launchers (Ogbunigwe),โโ he stated.
Unuakhalu added that troops of Sector 2 of the โOperation Udo Ka IIโโ arrested a suspected gunrunner on Thursday while on a search-and-rescue operation at Effium in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
He said the suspected gunrunner, Francis Nwekire, 63, was arrested in his house with 48 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition.
โAdditionally, a suspected Effium Militia in Ebonyi was arrested and he led troops to their hideout.
โItems recovered from the hideout were one AK-47 rifle, 20 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and one AK-47 magazine.
โBoth suspects are presently in troopsโ custody for further interrogations.โ