Soldiers intercept ammunition on Kaduna-Jos road, arrest seven suspects

Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have intercepted a cache of ammunition and suspected improvised explosive device components along the Kaduna–Jos road and arrested seven suspects.

The military disclosed this in a statement on Friday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Captain Chinonso Oteh.

According to the statement, the interception occurred at about 11:45 am on Thursday near Boys Science Secondary School on the Manchok–Jos road in Kaduna State.

The statement read, “In a significant breakthrough for internal security, vigilant troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have dealt a significant blow to the logistics network of terrorist elements operating within its Joint Operations Area.

“The troops deployed at Manchok and reinforced by its Special Forces Tactical Team successfully intercepted a high-capacity shipment of heavy ammunition and suspected Improvised Explosive Device components during a precision stop-and-search operation in Kaduna State.”

Oteh said the troops stopped a commercial vehicle conveying seven passengers and recovered ammunition concealed in the vehicle.

Items recovered included 569 rounds of 12.7mm anti-aircraft ammunition, several warheads and 189 empty shells of 7.62mm ammunition.

He added that some mobile phones suspected to be components for improvised explosive devices were also recovered.

The statement said the driver, identified as Khalifa Bawa, denied ownership of the items, claiming they were handed to him for delivery.

“Bawa alleged that the items were handed over by an anonymous source and claimed he had no contact information or identifying details for either the sender at the point of origin or the intended recipient at the destination,” Oteh said.

Oteh confirmed that all seven occupants of the vehicle are in custody.

Security agencies have intensified operations to disrupt the movement of arms and explosives in the North-Central region.