Army destroys terrorist hideout, recovers weapons in Anambra

Some of the weapons recovered Photo: Nigerian Army

Troops of the Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, have destroyed a terrorist hideout in Anambra State and recovered a cache of weapons and ammunition during an operation aimed at dismantling criminal networks in the region.

In a post obtained from the Nigerian Army’s X handle on Friday, the operation, carried out by troops of 185 Battalion in collaboration with the Anambra Vigilante Group, followed the abduction of three people around the Osakwa General Area of Ihiala Local Government Area.

The victims were subsequently rescued by the troops.

On October 1, 2026, troops conducted a snap operation and arrested a suspected kidnapper identified as Sunday Obi. Information obtained during interrogation reportedly led security forces to a syndicate camp at Abator in Ogbaru Local Government Area, across the Isieke waterside.

Acting on the intelligence, the troops moved to the location using canoes to cross the waterways and access the hideout. According to the Nigerian Army, the troops engaged the terrorists, forcing them to flee with gunshot wounds.

The operation led to the recovery of 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, as well as two cartridges and materials suspected to be intended for the fabrication of improvised explosive devices.

Other items recovered from the camp included a solar generator, power bank, car battery, two motorcycle batteries, two solar panels and two mobile phones.

The Army said the recovered items provided further insight into the logistical network supporting kidnapping and other criminal activities in the area.

It added that follow-up operations were underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects, their collaborators, logistics suppliers and other facilitators.

The Nigerian Army said Operation UDO KA would continue coordinated operations with other security agencies and local stakeholders to disrupt terrorist and criminal networks and safeguard communities across the South East.