Troops Arrest 18 Soldiers, 15 Police Officers Over Illegal Arms Trade

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have announced the arrest of 18 serving soldiers and 15 police officers over allegations of illegal arms trading with terrorists and other criminal groups. The arrests mark a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to stem the flow of illegal weapons aiding insurgency and banditry across Nigeria.

Speaking during a press briefing in Maiduguri, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Theatre Commander of OPHK, through his Staff Officer, Administration, Major Ademola Owolana, revealed that the arrests were part of Operation Snowball — a special anti-racketeering mission launched in August 2024.

The exercise was aimed at dismantling a network of arms dealers operating within and outside security formations, and it was conducted across 11 states: Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Ebonyi, Enugu, Lagos, Plateau, Kaduna, Rivers, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

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Among those arrested were eight civilians and one traditional ruler, indicating the deep reach of the illicit trade. Major Owolana cited the case of Ameh Raphael, an armourer with the 7th Division Garrison, who had allegedly been supplying arms since 2018. Investigations revealed that Raphael had over ₦45 million in his bank account.

Another suspect, Seidi Adamu, of the 3rd Division Ordnance Services, was also implicated. He reportedly began his involvement in 2022 and had accumulated ₦34 million through the arms trade.

Additionally, police inspector Enoch Ngwa was arrested for his role in the illegal activities. Financial investigations revealed that over ₦135 million had passed through his personal bank account in connection to arms sales.

Major Owolana emphasized that the military remains committed to rooting out corruption and criminal collusion within its ranks and is working closely with intelligence and anti-corruption agencies to ensure thorough investigations and prosecutions.

“These arrests demonstrate our resolve to sanitize the security forces and cut off the supply lines that empower terrorists and criminals,” he stated.

The operation has been described as one of the most comprehensive internal crackdowns on arms trafficking within Nigeria’s security architecture. Authorities have assured the public that further arrests and prosecutions will follow as investigations continue.