The Nigerian Army has successfully conducted a raid on a suspected cultists’ camp in the Oloibiri oil field at Otuabagi community, located in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. This operation, carried out by troops of the 16 Brigade as part of Exercise Still Waters III, resulted in the arrest of eight members of a notorious cult group who were hiding in the camp.
Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, announced on Friday that the troops were able to seize various items from the cultists’ hideout. These items include a Beretta pistol, a locally made double-barrel pistol, five rounds of 9mm ammunition, three live cartridges, a Baofeng communication radio, a binocular, two mobile phones, and substances suspected to be cannabis.
All eight suspects are currently in custody and are undergoing further interrogation to gather more information about their operations and connections within the cult group.
In a related incident, troops of the 4 Brigade, also participating in Exercise Still Waters III, swiftly responded to a distress call received from a law-abiding citizen in the Obagie community, located in the Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. The citizen reported a kidnapping incident, prompting the immediate action of the troops.
The timely intervention led to the rescue of Miss Blessing Uwenze, who had been abducted by the criminal gang. Additionally, two members of the kidnapping gang were apprehended by the troops and are currently in custody for further investigation.
During the operation, the troops also recovered two semi-automatic pump-action guns, four live cartridges, one mobile phone, and various fetish items that were used by the kidnappers.
Brigadier General Nwachukwu confirmed that Miss Blessing Uwenze has been successfully reunited with her family, bringing relief and joy to her loved ones.
