In a sweeping crackdown aimed at curbing the illegal flow of arms to terrorists and criminal groups, troops under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have apprehended no fewer than 33 security personnel for alleged involvement in arms trafficking.
The arrests include 18 soldiers and 15 police officers, all of whom are accused of aiding insurgents and criminal syndicates by supplying them with weapons.
This revelation was made during a press briefing in Maiduguri, where the Theatre Commander of OPHK, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, represented by Major Ademola Owolana, shed light on the progress of Operation Snowball, an internal security operation launched in August 2024.
Major Owolana disclosed that the operation, which was specifically initiated to dismantle ammunition rackets within the North-East theatre, extended to 11 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Suspects were arrested across Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Ebonyi, Enugu, Lagos, Plateau, Kaduna, Rivers, Taraba, and Abuja.
Among those arrested is a military armourer identified as Ameh Raphael, attached to the 7th Division Garrison, who reportedly began trafficking arms as far back as 2018.
Investigators uncovered N45 million stashed in his bank account.
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In a similar case, Seidi Adamu, an officer from the 3rd Division Ordnance Services, who allegedly joined the illegal trade in 2022, was found with N34 million in his account.
The operation also exposed a police inspector, Enoch Ngwa, whose bank records revealed transactions totaling N135 million — funds believed to be linked to arms sales.
The dragnet also caught eight civilians and a traditional ruler, all of whom are now in custody and assisting with ongoing investigations.
Authorities say the success of Operation Snowball demonstrates a renewed commitment to purging the armed forces and police of rogue elements undermining national security.
“The Nigerian military remains resolute in upholding the integrity of its operations and restoring public trust in the system,” Major Owolana emphasized.
Investigations are ongoing, with more arrests expected as the operation deepens its probe into the shadowy networks fuelling insecurity in the region.