April 17, (THEWILL) — Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have intercepted a large consignment of ammunition and suspected improvised explosive device (IED) components along the Kaduna–Jos highway, in what security authorities describe as a major disruption of an illicit arms movement route within the Joint Operations Area.
The interception comes amid sustained military operations to curb arms trafficking, with increased stop-and-search deployments and intelligence-led patrols along high-risk routes linking Kaduna, Plateau, and neighbouring states.
A statement signed on Friday by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE, disclosed that the interception, carried out by troops deployed at Manchok and reinforced by a Special Forces Tactical Team, occurred at about 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2026, near Boys Science Secondary School along the Manchok–Jos road in Kaduna State, a corridor identified as a sensitive transit route for criminal logistics activities.
A navy-blue Opel Wagon commercial vehicle with registration number NSR 154 TA KANO, carrying seven occupants, was flagged down during a routine, but intelligence-supported stop-and-search operation. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of concealed military-grade materials.
Recovered items include 569 rounds of 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft ammunition, several high-velocity warheads, and 189 expended shells of 7.62mm special ammunition, alongside disused GSM mobile phones suspected by security analysts to be components often used in the assembly of remotely triggered explosive devices.
While investigations are ongoing to determine the full operational intent and destination of the consignment, the nature of the recovered materials has raised concerns over an attempted movement of coordinated offensive capabilities across state lines.
Preliminary questioning of the driver, identified as Mr Khalifa Bawa, indicates that the consignment was being transported under a “waybill” arrangement. He reportedly claimed ignorance of both sender and recipient details, a position investigators say is being treated with caution pending verification of communication records, ownership links, and logistics documentation.
All seven occupants of the vehicle, along with the recovered items and the vehicle, have been taken into custody.
Security authorities confirmed that forensic examination and intelligence exploitation of the materials are underway to establish the origin, intended destination, and possible network connections.
Investigations are expected to focus on whether the shipment forms part of a broader arms supply chain supporting armed criminal groups operating across northern and central transit corridors.
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