Several members of militant groups operating in the South-East have surrendered their weapons following sustained military operations by troops of the 82 Division/Joint Task Force South-East, Operation Udoka, as security forces also recovered additional arms and an improvised explosive device (IED) during intelligence-led operations.

The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, describing the development as evidence of the effectiveness of its combined kinetic and non-kinetic strategy aimed at dismantling criminal networks and restoring lasting peace across the region.

According to the Army, the breakthrough followed sustained pressure by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade and the recent arrest of suspects linked to the killing of a soldier.

“Unable to withstand the relentless military offensive, members of a militant group operating within Egbema and its environs voluntarily began surrendering their weapons,” the statement said.

The Army said one of the suspects subsequently led security operatives to a location where the group’s weapons had been concealed.

Items recovered included one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and four locally fabricated firearms.

In a separate operation, troops of Sector 5, Operation Udo Ka, acting on credible intelligence, recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), 45 rounds of 7.62mm x 51 ammunition and one improvised explosive device.

The Army said the latest recoveries had further weakened the operational capacity of criminal elements in the region.

It attributed the surrender of arms to sustained military pressure, strategic engagements and close collaboration with other security agencies, which it said were compelling criminal groups to abandon violence.

“The Nigerian Army remains resolute in sustaining the current operational momentum until all criminal networks are dismantled and enduring peace and stability are fully restored across the South-East,” the statement said.

The Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the country’s sovereignty and safeguarding lives and property through intelligence-driven operations carried out in partnership with other security agencies and stakeholders.

It also urged members of the public to continue providing credible and actionable information, stressing that community support remains critical to consolidating security gains in the South-East.