Troops intercept ammunition, suspected IED components on Kaduna-Jos highway
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have intercepted a large cache of ammunition and suspected improvised explosive device (IED) components along the Kaduna-Jos highway in Kaduna State.
The operation, carried out on Thursday at about 11:45 a.m., followed a stop-and-search exercise by troops deployed at Manchok, supported by a Special Forces Tactical Team.
According to a statement by the Joint Task Force, the troops flagged down a navy-blue Opel Wagon commercial vehicle with registration number NSR 154 TA KANO, conveying seven passengers near the Boys Science Secondary School along the Manchok-Jos road.
A thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a large quantity of ammunition concealed within it. Recovered items included 569 rounds of 12.7mm anti-aircraft gun ammunition, several high-velocity warheads, and 189 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The troops also recovered a number of disused Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) handsets, believed to be commonly used as components in the construction of remotely detonated IEDs.
During preliminary interrogation, the driver of the vehicle, identified as Khalifa Bawa, reportedly denied ownership of the items, describing them as a “waybill” consignment handed to him by an unidentified individual. He claimed he had no contact details of either the sender or the intended recipient.
All occupants of the vehicle have been taken into custody alongside the seized items and vehicle for further investigation.
The military assured that efforts are ongoing to trace the origin of the consignment and dismantle the network behind the attempted movement of the arms across state lines.
