Troops of Sector 1, Operation ENDURING PEACE, have arrested a serving soldier and recovered 69 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm Special ammunition and other military equipment during a stop-and-search operation in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The soldier, identified as Corporal Legedu Denebari, 13NA/70/8069, is attached to the 109 Special Forces Battalion, Magumeri, Borno State, where he serves under Operation HADIN KAI.
This was contained in a post shared by security analyst, Zagagola Magama on Friday.
The post stated that the suspect was arrested during a routine security check at the Babale Checkpoint in Jos North.
According to the security authorities, the troops recovered one magazine containing 69 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm Special ammunition, alongside other military and personal items.
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The recovered items include two Strike Force ballistic plates, two jackknives, one mobile phone, one power bank, one helmet, a Nigerian Army identity card and two pairs of camouflage uniforms.
Preliminary findings indicate that Corporal Denebari was on pass from his unit to Rivers State, effective September 2.
However, the circumstances surrounding his possession and movement of the ammunition and military equipment have prompted further investigation.
The soldier and all recovered items have been taken into custody as authorities work to establish the source, intended destination and purpose of the ammunition, as well as whether any other persons may be connected to the incident.
The arrest underscores the critical role of sustained stop-and-search operations in detecting and preventing the unauthorised movement of arms, ammunition and military equipment across security corridors.
Security forces have continued to intensify checks within the Operation ENDURING PEACE Joint Operations Area as part of efforts to prevent the diversion of military-grade weapons and equipment into the hands of criminal elements.Â