Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested three suspected members of a criminal gang allegedly responsible for the killing of a soldier during a deadly ambush in May.

They recovered military rifles stolen during the attack in a coordinated operation spanning Rivers, Delta and Imo states.

The operation was reported by security analyst, Zagazola Makama.

According to the report, the arrests followed months of intelligence-driven operations by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under Operation UDO KA after gunmen ambushed soldiers on May 4, 2026, killing one soldier, injuring another and making away with service weapons.

Makama said that intelligence gathered during the investigation, including information obtained from previously arrested suspects, led operatives to identify the alleged masterminds as Albert Tony, popularly known as “Chiboy,” Temple Eburua, alias “Marathon,” and Vitalis Eburua, also known as “Onowu.”

The report stated that investigators also uncovered the role of an alleged accomplice, Mr. Abire, who reportedly helped the suspects flee from Rivers State to Oleh in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State after the attack.

According to him, troops arrested Abire in Port Harcourt on July 30, and information obtained during his interrogation led security operatives to the suspects’ hideout in Delta State.

Acting on the intelligence, troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade, in collaboration with personnel of the 181 Battalion, raided Opaebe Community in Oleh during the early hours of July 31, leading to the arrest of the three suspects.

“The suspects subsequently led troops to their hideout in Ohaji/Egbema, where military weapons stolen during the May ambush were concealed,” the report stated.

Makama said further exploitation of the hideout also led troops to another camp at Umudike Plantation, where additional weapons and ammunition were recovered.

Among the recovered items were one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, one FN rifle and two FN rifle magazines believed to have been stolen during the ambush.

Troops also recovered three additional AK-47 rifles, nine AK-47 magazines, one pistol with its magazine, 194 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, one fragmentation jacket and other items suspected to be linked to the gang’s activities.

According to the report, the suspects are currently in the custody of the 34 Artillery Brigade and are undergoing further interrogation as security agencies work to identify other members of the alleged criminal network and recover more weapons.

Makama described the operation as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to apprehend those responsible for attacks on security personnel and recover stolen military hardware, adding that follow-up operations are continuing.

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Two police officers were killed on Friday morning in a fatal road crash while performing their duties along Ali Akilu Road in the Kawo area of Kaduna State.

The accident occurred around 7:00 a.m. at the General Hassan Katsina U-turn, commonly known as Water U-turn.

A vehicle reportedly driven by a military officer rammed into the police officers at their duty post, causing fatal injuries on the spot due to the severity of the impact.

The Kaduna State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, while confirming the accident, explained that the officers were actively carrying out their legitimate duties when the crash occurred.

According to Hassan, “The accident happened at the Water U-turn along Ali Akilu Way, Kawo, when a car driven by a military personnel rammed into two police officers who were at their duty post.”

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu, on behalf of the entire Command, extended deep condolences to the families of the fallen officers.

Preliminary investigations confirmed that the driver involved was a military personnel. The driver, who sustained injuries during the crash, is currently receiving medical attention under security supervision at an undisclosed hospital in Kaduna.

The Command assured the public of a thorough and transparent investigation in collaboration with sister security agencies, while calling on all motorists to strictly observe traffic regulations.

Illegal miners operating in Gangtu village, in Bali Local Government Council of Taraba State, have once again fled their mining site ahead of a raid by the Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force.

The task force, led by Chairman Jamu Emmanuel Lyon, said the repeated abandonment of mining locations by suspected illegal miners shows that sustained surveillance and operations are putting pressure on unauthorized operators across the state.

Jamu disclosed this over the weekend after he and his team returned to Gangtu village following intelligence reports that illegal mining activities had resumed in the area despite previous warnings.

According to him, operatives moved swiftly to the location but discovered that the miners had already escaped, leaving behind equipment and fleeing into nearby bushes, allegedly after receiving information about the planned operation.

Although no arrests were made during the exercise, the task force chairman described the development as a positive indication that illegal miners were becoming increasingly aware of the security pressure against their activities.

“This is the second time in two weeks that we have stormed this location, and each time, we find that the illegal miners have taken to their heels,” Jamu said.

“Though we did not make any arrests today, we are not discouraged. This cat-and-mouse game will not deter us. We are more determined than ever to rid Taraba State of the scourge of illegal mining.”

He added that the task force was strengthening intelligence gathering in Gangtu and other identified mining hotspots across the state, while plans were underway to deploy more personnel and increase patrols to prevent the return of illegal operators.

Jamu also revealed that the task force would collaborate with local vigilantes and community leaders to create a stronger early warning system capable of detecting and stopping illegal mining activities before they escalate.

Meanwhile, the abandoned mining equipment and makeshift structures discovered at the site are being documented, with plans to destroy them to prevent their reuse by illegal miners. He warned that anyone caught attempting to retrieve or operate the abandoned equipment would face arrest and prosecution.

The task force chairman urged residents of Gangtu and surrounding communities to continue providing credible information on illegal mining activities, stressing that community support was crucial to protecting the state’s natural resources.

“We cannot win this battle alone. The people of Taraba are the true custodians of our natural resources, and we need their active participation to protect these resources from being plundered,” he said.

The Anti-Illegal Mining Task Force maintained that operations would continue across Taraba State, warning illegal miners that fleeing security raids would not shield them from eventual arrest and prosecution.