Army Eliminate 5 Gunmen, Busts Illegal Arms Factory in Cross River
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 13 Brigade have neutralised five armed criminals and uncovered an illegal weapons manufacturing factory during an operation in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The operation, conducted under the operational command of the Nigerian Army’s 82 Division Nigerian Army, took place in Odonget Community as part of ongoing security efforts in the area.
According to a statement issued on Friday by Major Yemi Sokoya, Assistant Director Army Public Relations at Headquarters 13 Brigade, the troops intensified their operations following a recent ambush on security personnel who had earlier responded to a distress call linked to a communal dispute in the community.
The statement said troops conducted aggressive cordon-and-search operations and fighting patrols between March 12 and 13, 2026, across several identified areas in a determined effort to track down those responsible for the earlier attack.
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“On March 13, 2026, troops again made contact with the armed miscreants within the general area. The criminals were decisively engaged in a firefight, resulting in five of the attackers being neutralised, while others fled,” the statement noted.
Further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of an illegal gun manufacturing facility believed to have been used by criminal elements to produce weapons used in violent activities within the locality.
During a thorough search of the site, troops recovered three AK-47 rifle magazines, 10 locally fabricated weapons, and a toolbox containing equipment used in the fabrication of firearms.
The military subsequently destroyed the illegal arms production site to prevent its continued use by criminal groups.
Commander of the 13 Brigade, Brigadier General Patrick Alimikhena, who personally led and supervised the operation, commended the troops for their gallantry and professionalism during the encounter.
He reassured residents of the Brigade’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the area, stressing that troops would sustain aggressive operations, enhanced surveillance and continuous patrols to track down fleeing criminal elements.
Alimikhena also urged members of the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information that could aid ongoing efforts to rid the area of criminal activities.
By PRNigeria
