In another significant breakthrough, Troops of Operation Forest Sanity have intercepted a large quantity of ammunitions being conveyed to bandits by a courier around Polewire in Birnin Gwari local government area of Kaduna State.
A statement signed by Commissioner, Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, on Thursday, said, 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.
He said 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.
According to him, after a thorough search of the vehicle, 1,079 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 886 rounds of 7.62mm belted ammunition, and 139 rounds of 7.62mm tracer ammunition were discovered.
Five empty AK-47 magazines were also recovered.
The driver of the vehicle, one Aminu Abdullahi, has been taken into custody for further investigation.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai noted the report with satisfaction, and thanked the troops for their proactiveness in denying bandits a major supply of ammunitions meant to mete out more destruction and suffering.
The Governor warmly appreciated the leadership of the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Major General T.A. Lagbaja, for the latest notable breakthrough recorded.
Governor El-Rufai 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.