An international smuggling ring was stopped by Nigerian Army troops on Saturday as they were delivering a truckload of illegal munitions to the southeast Nigerian state of Anambra.
Onyema Nwachukwu, the army’s spokesperson, revealed this in a statement yesterday.
The army made the interception during “a meticulous and rigorous” stop and search operation along Ajilete-Owode Road in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, according to brigadier-general Nwachukwu.
The vehicle, which has the license plate ENU 697 XY, was filled with various munitions, according to the army spokeswoman.
He specified the ammo, which included 250 packets of live black cartridges that each had 10 packets, totaling 2500 cartridges, and 720 packets of red star cartridges of 12 calibres that contained 25 cartridges each packet.
Nwachukwu said that the army had detained two individuals and were assisting in military investigations.
He identified the suspects as truck driver Lukman Sani and Ghanaian national Eric Seworvor.
“Information gathered during preliminary investigations revealed that the ammunition, which was covertly concealed in a supposedly empty truck, was imported from Mali and itercepted at the Idiroko International Border,” the official said. “The criminals had successfully beaten several other checkpoints en route their final destination in Onitsha, Anambra State, where they intended to deliver the illegal ammunition.
The army spokeswoman said that the syndicate’s attempt to smuggle illicit weapons into the southeast state required military involvement, adding that if successful, the suspects would have terrorized the locals.
He urged Nigerians to keep providing the military and other security services with information that will help them address the nation’s security issues.
According to Nwachukwu, Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, has praised the troops for their dedication to protecting Nigerians’ lives and property.
authorities to ensure that everyone in Nigeria is secure.