Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have intercepted a large consignment of ammunition and suspected components for improvised explosive devices along the Kaduna–Jos highway, arresting seven suspects in the process.
The Joint Task Force disclosed this in a statement on Friday by its Media Information Officer, Capt. Chinonso Oteh.
According to the statement, the operation took place at about 11:45am on Thursday near the Boys Science Secondary School axis of the Manchok–Jos road in Kaduna State.
Oteh said the seizure followed a coordinated stop-and-search operation by troops deployed in the area, supported by a Special Forces Tactical Team.
“In a major success for internal security operations, vigilant troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have disrupted the logistics network of terrorist elements within the Joint Operations Area,” the statement read.
He explained that the troops intercepted a commercial vehicle conveying seven passengers and uncovered ammunition concealed within it.
Recovered items included 569 rounds of 12.7mm anti-aircraft ammunition, several warheads, and 189 empty shells of 7.62mm ammunition.
The troops also recovered mobile phones suspected to be configured for use as components in improvised explosive devices.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Khalifa Bawa, reportedly denied ownership of the items, claiming they were handed over to him for delivery by an unidentified individual.
“Bawa alleged that the items were given to him by an anonymous source and said he had no contact details or information about the sender or intended recipient,” Oteh added.
He confirmed that all seven occupants of the vehicle had been taken into custody for further investigation.
The interception is part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb the movement of illegal arms and explosives across the North-Central region.
