Troops Intercept Large Cache Of Ammunition, Arrest 7 Suspects On Kaduna–Jos Road

Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have intercepted a cache of ammunition and suspected improvised explosive device (IED) components along the Kaduna–Jos highway, arresting seven suspects in the process.

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

According to the statement, the operation took place at about 11:45 a.m. on Thursday near Boys Science Secondary School along the Manchok–Jos axis in Kaduna State.

“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 statement read.

It added that troops stationed at Manchok, with reinforcement from a Special Forces Tactical Team, conducted a targeted stop-and-search operation that led to the interception of a commercial vehicle carrying seven passengers and a concealed shipment of arms and suspected IED components.

Items recovered from the vehicle included 569 rounds of 12.7mm anti-aircraft ammunition, multiple warheads, and 189 expended 7.62mm shells. The troops also recovered mobile phones suspected to have been modified or intended for use in the fabrication of improvised explosive devices.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Khalifa Bawa, reportedly denied ownership of the consignment, claiming it was given to him by an unknown source

“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,” Captain Oteh stated.

All seven occupants of the vehicle have since been taken into custody for further investigation.

Security authorities said operations have been intensified across the North-Central region to disrupt the movement of illegal arms and explosives.