Nigerian troops have intercepted more than 2,000 rounds of various grades of ammunition being conveyed to bandits by a courier around Polewire in the dreaded Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The troop under Operation Forest Sanity also arrested a gun runner.
The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who disclosed this on Thursday, said the ammunition was concealed in different parts of a black Toyota Corolla car.
He added that the driver of the vehicle conveying the large quantity of ammunition meant for terrorists across the Birnin-Gwari general area was arrested by the troops.
Aruwan listed the ammunition recovered by the troops to include – 1,079 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 886 rounds of 7.62mm belted ammunition, 139 rounds of 7.62mm tracer ammunition as well as five empty AK-47 magazines.
He said, “In another significant breakthrough, troops of Operation Forest Sanity have intercepted a large quantity of ammunition being conveyed to bandits by a courier around Polewire in dreaded Birnin Gwari LGA
“According to a report forwarded to the Kaduna State Government, the troops followed up on credible intelligence around gunrunning activities, and in the course of diligent checks stopped a suspicious-looking vehicle within the location of interest.
“A search of the intercepted vehicle – a black Toyota Corolla – revealed more than 2,000 rounds of various grades of ammunition, concealed in different parts of the car.
“After a thorough search of the vehicle, the following precise quantities were recovered: -1,079 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 886 rounds of 7.62mm belted ammunition, 139 rounds of 7.62mm tracer ammunition, five empty AK-47 magazines were also recovered.
“The driver of the vehicle, one Aminu Abdullahi, is in custody for further investigation.”
He quoted Governor Nasir El-Rufai to have expressed satisfaction with the reports and thanked the troops for their pro-activeness in denying bandits a major supply of ammunition meant to mete out more destruction and suffering.
“The Governor charged the security forces to proceed with a thorough investigation of the arrested suspect, and intensify efforts towards dismantling gunrunning networks across the State and beyond,” the commissioner added.