By Harriet Tornguvan
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 13 Brigade have neutralised five armed criminals and uncovered an illegal weapons manufacturing factory during a clearance operation in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The operation, carried out in Odonget community, was conducted under the operational command of the Headquarters 82 Division of the Nigerian Army following an earlier ambush on troops who had responded to a distress call arising from a communal dispute in the area.
In a statement issued by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade, Major Yemi Sokoya, the troops launched an intensive follow-up operation between March 12 and 13, 2026, aimed at tracking down those responsible for the attack on security personnel.
According to the statement, the troops conducted aggressive cordon-and-search operations as well as fighting patrols across identified flashpoints within the community.
On March 13, the troops made contact with the armed criminals in the general area, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire. During the encounter, five of the attackers were neutralised, while others fled with possible gunshot wounds.
Subsequent 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.
A thorough search of the factory led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifle magazines, 10 locally fabricated weapons, and a toolbox containing equipment used in weapon fabrication.
The illegal arms production site was later destroyed by the troops to prevent further use by criminal groups.
The Commander of 13 Brigade, Brigadier General Patrick Alimikhena, who personally led and supervised the operation, commended the troops for their gallantry and professionalism during the mission.
He reassured residents of the Brigade’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the area, noting that troops would sustain aggressive operations, increased surveillance, and continuous patrols to track down fleeing criminals and prevent further threats to law-abiding citizens.
Brigadier General Alimikhena also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information to aid ongoing efforts aimed at ridding the area of criminal elements.
