Nigerian Army troops have recovered four AK-47 rifles, seven magazines and 133 rounds of ammunition from a suspected kidnapping syndicate’s hideout in a forest in Enugu State.

According to TheCable, the weapons were recovered on Monday, August 10, at Umuchingu Ujenike Forest by troops of the 82 Division Garrison and 103 Battalion of the Nigerian Army.

The recovery followed information provided by suspected kidnappers who had earlier been arrested, according to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication.

The operation came after troops rescued two kidnapped victims and arrested a logistics supplier and two alleged kingpins of a criminal syndicate said to be operating across Enugu, Abia, Anambra and neighbouring states.

The recovered items included four AK-47 rifles, seven AK-47 magazines and 133 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

On July 31, a joint military task force rescued Ofor Amobi, a senior army officer, and Ikechukwu Onwuanra, a civilian, following a 10-day search-and-rescue operation across forests and communities in Enugu State.

The troops had searched forests around Inyi, Awlaw and Akpugo-Eze, as well as adjoining communities in Oji River Local Government Area.

The latest recovery is part of ongoing security operations targeting criminal groups and their weapons networks in the South-East.

In June, troops working with operatives of the Department of State Services also raided suspected Eastern Security Network armouries in Enugu State, where they reportedly recovered a rocket launcher and ammunition.