Troops Arrest Notorious Gunrunner with 15 Italian-Made Rifles in Rivers

By Emma Sunday

The 6 Division, Nigerian Army has arrested a 36-year-old gunrunner, Peter Onyeali Chibueze,  with 15 Italian-made sophisticated rifles in Rivers State.

Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of the 6 Division’s Public Relations, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday.

According to Danjuma, the suspect, a native of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, was arrested during an intelligence-led operation on September 19, 2025, in Port Harcourt and environs.

He said the suspect, was caught while trying to retrieve the concealed firearms hidden in a sack containing clothing materials. Preliminary investigation revealed that Chibueze is involved in arms-trafficking deals and has been on the watch list of security agencies.

Danjuma disclosed that preliminary investigation revealed that the gunrunner is known to be involved in arms-trafficking deals and has been on the watch list of security agencies.

He recalled that recently, troops of the 6 Division also bursted a gunrunning syndicate noted to be engaged in arms courier deals, using the Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Bayelsa States corridor, arresting two, with ammunitions also recovered.

He said the success was recorded through discreet intelligence, and reiterated the Nigerian Army’s resolve to stamp out such criminality in the region.

He stated: “Again, troops of the Division conducted an intelligence-led operation, which resulted in the arrest of the notorious gunrunner and the recovery of a cache of arms.

“It was a sting operation, conducted on 19 September 2025, within Port Harcourt and environs, targeted at curbing the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) into the Joint Operation Area.

“The operations led to the arrest of the notorious gunrunner and the recovery of 15 automatic pump-action rifles, carefully concealed in a consignment to evade detection by security agencies. Thankfully, it was uncovered by the vigilant troops of the Division through credible intelligence.”

The Acting Director said the successful operation underscores the Division’s unwavering commitment to curbing the proliferation of SALW and dismantling criminal networks in the region.

“This is in addition to its operational responsibility of safeguarding critical national infrastructure in the region.”

Danjuma reiterated the resolve of the General Officer Commanding the 6 Division, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, to stamping out arms smuggling and dismantle criminal networks in the Niger Delta and securing the region from the proliferation of firearms.

“On this note, I like to restate the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South South, Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah’s commitment to safety and security in the Niger Delta Region, particularly in ensuring that socio-economic activities thrive.”

He however urged members of the public to provide actionable intelligence on criminal activities in their domains, emphasizing that security remains a collective responsibility. The suspect and recovered weapons have been handed over to the relevant security agency for further investigation and necessary action.