By Harriet Tornguvan
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have recorded a major breakthrough in ongoing counter terrorism efforts, intercepting a large consignment of ammunition and suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) components along the Kaduna–Jos highway.
The operation, which dealt a significant blow to the logistics network of terrorist elements, was carried out during a stop-and-search exercise by troops deployed at Manchok, reinforced by a Special Forces Tactical Team.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, the interception occurred near Boys Science Secondary School along the Manchok–Jos road in Kaduna State.
Oteh disclosed that a navy blue Opel Wagon commercial vehicle with registration number NSR 154 TA (Kano), conveying seven passengers, was flagged down during the operation. A thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a cache of lethal items concealed within it.
Recovered exhibits included 569 rounds of 12.7mm anti-aircraft ammunition, several high-velocity warheads, and 189 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Troops also recovered a number of disused Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) handsets, commonly identified by experts as components used in constructing remotely detonated IEDs.
During preliminary interrogation, the driver of the vehicle, identified as Khalifa Bawa, reportedly denied ownership of the items, claiming they were part of a “waybill” consignment handed to him by an unidentified individual. He further stated that he had no contact details or information about either the sender or the intended recipient.
Security sources confirmed that all occupants of the vehicle, alongside the recovered items and the vehicle itself, have been taken into custody for further investigation and forensic analysis.
The military authorities noted that efforts are ongoing to trace the origin of the shipment and dismantle the broader network behind the attempted movement of the weapons across state lines, as part of sustained operations to curb terrorism and enhance internal security.
