Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have apprehended 18 serving soldiers and 15 police officers for allegedly supplying arms to terrorists and other criminal groups.

At a press briefing held Wednesday on troop activities in the North-East, Major Ademola Owolana disclosed that Operation Snowball, an initiative launched in August 2024 to crack down on ammunition racketeering, has yielded significant results.

Owolana explained that the operation extended across 11 states, with arrests made in Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Ebonyi, Enugu, Lagos, Plateau, Kaduna, Rivers, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He added that eight civilians and one traditional ruler were also taken into custody for alleged involvement in the illegal arms trade.

“So far, a total of 18 soldiers, 15 mobile policemen, and eight civilians, including a traditional ruler, have been arrested,” Owolana said.

He described arms racketeering as a “lucrative” business that continues to fuel participation from security personnel.

Citing specific cases, he revealed that Ameh Raphael, an armourer with the 7th Division Garrison who had reportedly been involved since 2018, was found with ₦45 million in his bank account.

Similarly, Seidi Adamu of the 3rd Division Ordnance Services, involved since 2022, had ₦34 million in his account.

Owolana further disclosed that ₦135 million passed through the bank account of Enoch Ngwa, a police inspector arrested in connection with the crime.

He also accused certain non-governmental organisations (NGOs) of covertly supplying terrorists with additives and food under the guise of humanitarian aid.

“Additionally, a few soldiers motivated by greed are involved in ammunition racketeering, deliberately diverting arms from the military stockpiles and supply chains to terrorists,” he said.

“Such actions erode battlefield morale, reduce troops’ effectiveness, and strengthen enemy resistance.”

Owolana noted that the most recent case occurred on February 24, when a soldier from the 144 Battalion was caught with 30 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition at Tashin-Karo, Kano, during a route search by the military police’s K-19 unit.

“Consequently, the theatre has continued to warn troops at all levels of the severe repercussions and sanctions of ammunition racketeering.

“Those found culpable have been dismissed and handed over to the police to serve as a deterrent.”