Troops of Operation Forest Sanity have intercepted a large quantity of ammunition being conveyed to bandits by a courier around Polewire in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan disclosed this in a security update on Thursday.
Recall that the state government on Wednesday disclosed that the Air Component of Operation Whirl Punch neutralised many bandits near Sabon Layi village, also in Birnin Gwari LGA.
Aruwan said that the news of the interception was contained in a report forwarded to the Kaduna State Government.
He said 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 commissioner said.
He disclosed that the driver of the vehicle, one Aminu Abdullahi, is in 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 ammunition meant to mete out more destruction and suffering.
“The Governor warmly appreciated the leadership of the General Officer Commanding, One 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,” Aruwan said.