ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested 18 serving soldiers and 15 police officers for their alleged involvement in selling arms to terrorists and criminal elements in a sweeping crackdown on arms trafficking.
The arrests were part of Operation Snowball, a special mission launched in August 2024 to tackle ammunition racketeering within the theatre of operations in the North-East and beyond.
Speaking to journalists in Maiduguri on the latest developments, the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, represented by his Staff Officer, Administration, Major Ademola Owolana, said the operation has recorded significant breakthroughs.
Major Owolana revealed that the operation extended to 11 states where suspects were apprehended. These states include Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Ebonyi, Enugu, Lagos, Plateau, Kaduna, Rivers, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
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He disclosed that, in addition to the security operatives, eight civilians and one traditional ruler were also arrested.
Among those arrested is Ameh Raphael, an armourer of the 7th Division Garrison, who has allegedly been involved in arms racketeering since 2018. Investigators found N45 million in his bank account, believed to be proceeds from the illegal trade.
Also arrested was Seidi Adamu of the 3rd Division Ordnance Services, who has reportedly been part of the operation since 2022. According to Major Owolana, N34 million was discovered in his bank account.
Additionally, a police inspector, Enoch Ngwa, was found to have facilitated transactions totaling N135 million through his bank account in connection with the illegal arms business.
According to Channels TV, the military said the arrests signal a strong warning to insiders colluding with criminals, and it vowed to continue rooting out collaborators within the system.