Four alleged Cameroon Ambazonian rebels, notorious for proliferation of firearms in parts of Nigeria have been arrested by the Nigerian troops in Taraba State.
Reporters learnt that the gunrunners were trailed to a hotel in Takum, Taraba State and apprehended by troops of 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army on December 18, 2024.
A statement from the Nigerian Army noted that the rebels were exchanging firearms for cocoa with the their Nigerian criminal counterparts.
The spokesperson for the 6 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Taraba State, Captain Oni Olubodunde disclosed the details to SaharaReporters on Saturday.
Olubodunde said, “On 18 December 2024, acting on credible human intelligence, troops tracked and apprehended four suspected members of the Ambazonia rebel group at a hotel in Takum.
“During initial interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of the rebel group involved in arms proliferation in exchange for cocoa with their Nigerian collaborators. Four mobile handsets were recovered from the suspects, who are currently in detention undergoing further investigation.”
Meanwhile in a separate operation following actionable intelligence, troops deployed at Natilde community in Bantaji district of Wukari Local Government Area, intercepted a truck with registration number WKR 66 BB, Taraba State; transporting 19 pieces of vandalized pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).
“Further collaborative efforts with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Wukari Division led to the recovery of an additional 11 pipes, bringing the total to 30. The recovered items have been handed over to the NSCDC Wukari Division for further investigation and necessary action,” Olubodunde added.
He assured that the 6 Brigade Nigerian Army remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property while stressing the security of critical national infrastructure.
The army, accordingly urged the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.