Troops of operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested 18 serving soldiers and 15 police officers for allegedly selling arms to terrorists and other criminal elements.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday about the activities of troops in the north-east, Ademola Owolana, a major, said operation snowball, an exercise launched in August 2024 to target ammunition racketeering in the theatre, has recorded successes.
Owolana said the exercise was conducted across 11 states, with suspects arrested in Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Ebonyi, Enugu, Lagos, Plateau, Kaduna, Rivers, Taraba and the federal capital territory (FCT).
He said eight civilians and one traditional ruler were also arrested over alleged arms racketeering.
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“So far, a total of 18 soldiers, 15 mobile policemen, and eight civilians, including a traditional ruler, have been arrested,” he said.
Owolana said the “lucrative” nature of arms racketeering is the driving force behind the illegal activity.