Troops kill five gunmen, destroy illegal arms factory in Cross River

Troops of the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, operating under the Headquarters 82 Division, have neutralised five gunmen during a fierce gun battle at Odonget community in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The operation formed part of ongoing security efforts in the community following a recent ambush on soldiers who had responded to a distress call linked to a communal dispute in the area.

In a statement, the military spokesman, Major Yemi Sokoya, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, said the troops carried out a series of aggressive operations between March 12 and March 13, 2026, to track down those responsible for the earlier attack on security personnel.

He explained that the troops conducted cordon-and-search operations as well as fighting patrols across identified locations in a sustained effort to apprehend the perpetrators.

According to him, on March 13, the troops made contact with the armed group within the general area and engaged them in a gunfight, leading to the neutralization of five of the attackers, while others fled the scene.

Sokoya added that 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 deployed in violent activities in the locality.

During a search of the facility, the troops recovered three AK-47 rifle magazines, 10 locally fabricated weapons, and a toolbox containing equipment used for weapon production. The illegal factory was subsequently destroyed to prevent its continued use by criminal elements.

The Commander of the 13 Brigade, Brigadier General Patrick Alimikhena, who led and supervised the operation, commended the troops for their gallantry and professionalism.

He reassured residents of the army’s commitment to restoring and sustaining peace in the area, adding that troops would maintain aggressive operations, surveillance and patrols to apprehend fleeing suspects and prevent further threats to law-abiding citizens.

The military also urged members of the public to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could assist ongoing efforts to rid the area of criminal activities.

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