Troops under Operation ENDURING PEACE have intercepted a large cache of ammunition and suspected explosive components along the Kaduna–Jos highway, in what authorities describe as a major disruption to terrorist logistics networks in the region.
This was made known in a statement by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force, Capt. Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, on Friday.
According to the statement, the operation took place on Thursday near Boys Science Secondary School along the Manchok–Jos road in Kaduna State.
It was gathered that soldiers stationed in Manchok, supported by a Special Forces Tactical Team, stopped a navy-blue Opel Wagon commercial vehicle carrying seven passengers.
A thorough search of the vehicle uncovered a significant haul of weapons and materials, including 569 rounds of 12.7mm anti-aircraft ammunition, several high-velocity warheads, and 189 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Security officials said the items were concealed within the vehicle, suggesting deliberate efforts to evade detection.
Troops also recovered several disused mobile phones, believed to be components commonly used in the construction of remotely detonated improvised explosive devices (IEDs), raising further concerns about the intended use of the materials.
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The driver of the vehicle, identified as Khalifa Bawa, reportedly denied knowledge of the contents, claiming the items were part of a delivery consignment.
The statement added that Bawa said he received the goods from an unidentified individual and had no contact details for either the sender or the intended recipient.
All seven occupants of the vehicle have been taken into custody along with the recovered items and the vehicle.
The military has launched a full investigation, including forensic analysis, to trace the origin of the shipment and uncover any links to wider terrorist networks.
The interception underscores ongoing efforts to tighten security and disrupt the movement of arms across key transit routes in northern Nigeria. Operation ENDURING PEACE continues to intensify surveillance and interdiction operations in areas considered vulnerable to insurgent activity.
