The Nigerian Army has arrested 34 suspected cult members, kidnappers, and hoodlums in the ongoing Operation Python Dance II in the south-east.
Troops were said to have carried out some raids in Imo, Anambra and Abia States, i n Nigeria where the arrests were made.
Recovered during the raids were locally made pistols and five Dane guns, the army arrested 17 suspects in Obinze community in Imo while seven were arrested in the Ukukwa North Local Government Area of Anambra.
It was gathered that 10 suspected cult members were also arrested during two operations on Awara and Assa communities in the Ohaji-Egbema LGA of Imo.
The army said that another group of three kidnap suspects – identified as Arinze Ugiri, 39, Okezie Nwobolo, 30, and Michael Sunday, 24 – were arrested from a hideout in Abia State.
The suspects were reportedly handed over to the police after the initial questioning.
Confirming the arrests, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, and 82 Division spokesman, Colonel Sagir Musa, said the "outlawed IPOB (indegenous people of biafra) members and their sympathisers" were also stopped from extorting money from traders and motorists in Aba.
