By Frank Ulom
OBUBRA (CONVERSEER) – Troops of 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, under the operational command of Headquarters 82 Division Nigerian Army, in the ongoing operation in Odonget Community, Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State, have uncovered an illegal gun factory as well as recovered cache of weapons, following the recent ambush of troops who had responded to a distress call arising from a communal dispute in the area.
According to to statement by Major Yemi Sokoya, Assistant Director Army Public Relations, Headquarters 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, on Friday, the development is in continuation of exploitation operation conducted between 12 and 13 March 2026, where the troops carried out aggressive cordon and search operations as well as fighting patrols across identified areas of interest in a determined effort to track down the perpetrators responsible for the earlier attack on security personnel.
READ ALSO: Miner, youths clash in Cross River
“On 13 March 2026, troops again made contact with the armed miscreants within the general area. The criminals were decisively engaged in a firefight, resulting in five of the attackers being neutralised, while others fled.
“Further exploitation of the area led to the discovery of an illegal gun manufacturing factory, believed to have been used by criminal elements to fabricate weapons employed in violent activities within the locality.
“During a thorough search of the factory, troops recovered 3 AK-47 rifle magazines, 10 locally fabricated weapons, and a toolbox containing weapon-manufacturing equipment.
“The illegal arms production site was subsequently destroyed to prevent its continued use by criminal elements,” the statement said.
It added that the Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Patrick Alimikhena, who personally led and supervised the operation, commended the troops for their gallantry and professionalism during the encounter.
Alimikhena reassured residents that the Brigade remains fully committed to maintaining peace and stability in the area, adding that troops will sustain aggressive operations, heightened surveillance, and continuous patrols to track down fleeing criminal elements and prevent any further threat to law-abiding citizens.
READ ALSO: Army kills 4 gunmen, repels ambush in communal dispute in Obubra
“Members of the public are, therefore, encouraged to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information that can assist ongoing efforts to rid the area of criminal elements,” the statement added.
See photos below:
