Troops from the Nigerian Army’s 16 Brigade, as part of Exercise Still Waters III, have conducted a successful raid on a suspected cultists’ camp located within the Oloibiri oil field in the Otuabagi community of Ogbia Local Government Area in Bayelsa State.
The operation resulted in the apprehension of eight members of a cult group who were hiding in the area.
According to Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, the troops recovered 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 during the operation.
The suspects are currently in custody and are undergoing further interrogation to gather more information regarding their activities.
In a separate incident, troops from the 4 Brigade, also engaged in Exercise Still Waters III, responded to a distress call on October 18, 2023, from a law-abiding citizen who reported a kidnapping incident in the Obagie community of Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area in Edo State. Swift action by the troops led to the rescue of Miss Blessing Uwenze, and two members of the kidnapping gang were arrested and taken into custody for further investigation.
Items recovered from the suspects include two semi-automatic pump-action guns, four live cartridges, one mobile phone, and fetish items.
Nwachukwu confirmed that the victim has been successfully reunited with her family. These operations underscore the Nigerian Army’s commitment to maintaining security and combating criminal activities in the region.
