By Asuquo Cletus Felix
Troops belonging to the 192nd battalion of the Nigerian Army, operating within the 81st Division Area, successfully intercepted a truck that was found to be transporting smuggled ammunition en route to Onitsha, the capital of Anambra State.
In an official press statement titled "Troops Intercept Truck Carrying Ammunition en Route to Anambra State," Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, confirmed the incident.
Acting on credible intelligence, the troops conducted a thorough stop and search operation along the Ajilete-Owode Road in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State. During the operation, they discovered illicit ammunition concealed within a truck bearing the registration number ENU 697 XY. The truck was found to be carrying a total of 720 packets of Red Star Cartridges of 12 Calibre, with each packet containing 25 cartridges, resulting in a total of 18,000 cartridges. Additionally, the troops found an extra 250 packets of live (black) cartridges, with each packet containing 10 cartridges, bringing the total to 2,500 cartridges of the same calibre.
The press statement provided further details: "On Saturday, July 15, 2023, troops from the 192nd Battalion of the Nigerian Army, operating within the 81st Division Area of Responsibility, successfully busted an international ammunition smuggling syndicate. Acting on actionable intelligence, the troops conducted a meticulous and rigorous stop and search operation along the Ajilete-Owode Road in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, uncovering the illegal ammunition concealed in a truck with registration number ENU 697 XY. The truck was loaded with 720 packets of Red Star Cartridges of 12 Calibre, containing 25 cartridges per packet, totalling 18,000 cartridges. Additionally, 250 packets of live (black) cartridges were found, with each packet containing 10 cartridges, amounting to 2,500 cartridges of the same calibre."
The suspects, identified as Mr Eric Seworvor, a Ghanaian national, and the driver, Mr Lukman Sani, have been apprehended and are currently in custody. They are providing valuable assistance in ongoing investigations.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the smuggled ammunition, cleverly hidden within an empty truck, was imported from Mali via the Idiroko International Border. The criminals managed to elude several other checkpoints along their route until they reached their intended destination in Onitsha, Anambra State, where they planned to deliver the illegal ammunition.
The prompt intervention by the vigilant troops prevented the potential chaos that such a substantial amount of ammunition could have caused if it had fallen into the hands of criminals. The quick actions of the troops protected innocent members of the public from harm.