Security agencies, including troops of 192 Battalion Nigerian Army (NA) operating in 81 Division Area of Responsibility have arrested two suspects, a Ghanaian and a Nigerian, over intercepted cache of arms concealed in a truck, reportedly shipped in from Mali via Idiroko International Border.
The suspects; Eric Seworvor, 32, a Ghanaian citizen, and the driver, Lukman Sani, 42, from Ado Odo Ota Local Council of Ogun State, were allegedly heading to Onitsha in Anambra State where the owner, believed to be a chieftain of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPO), resides.
The Guardian gathered that the truck has successfully beaten 10 police checkpoints and 15 Customs’ checkpoints, before it was finally flagged down by troops on routine patrol for check during which the suspects confessed that they were paid to deliver the consignment to the unnamed owner in Onitsha.
The troops, who acted on actionable Intelligence conducted a meticulous and rigorous stop-and-search operation along Ajilete-Owode road in Yewa North Local Council of Ogun State, and uncovered the illegal ammunition in a truck with Registration number ENU 697 XY, loaded with 720 packets of Red Star Cartridges of 12 calibre, containing 25 cartridges per packet, totalling 18, 000 cartridges and an additional 250 packets of live (black) cartridges, containing 10 packets each, totalling 2500 cartridges of same calibre.
A source said: “It was conveyed from Mali via Idiroko International Border in a well-concealed empty truck.
“The items discovered in the truck are 720 CTNS of red star carts of 12 calibre containing 25 carts each (18,000 carts), 250 packets of live carts of pellets black containing 10 carts each (2500 carts) of the same calibre.
“The suspects claimed that they were heading to Onitsha, Anambra State to deliver the exhibits where the owner resides.
“Items recovered from them include one Tecno, one Itel GSM phone, ECOWAS identity card belonging to Seworvor from Ghana, 125,000 CFA, 245,100 Nigerian currency, and 60 Ghana cedis only.”
Seized ammunition
Also, confirming the development, army spokesperson, Brig. General Onyema Nwachukwu, said: “The suspects have been taken into custody and are helping with ongoing investigations.
“Information gathered during preliminary investigation revealed that the ammunition, which were surreptitiously concealed in a supposed empty truck were imported from Mali, via Idiroko International Border, where 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.
“Timely intervention by the vigilant troops, however, thwarted the chaos that such a volume of ammunition would have unleashed on innocent members of the public, if the criminals had succeeded.
“The Nigerian Army, therefore, appealled to all law-abiding citizens to continue supporting the troops and other security agencies with credible and actionable information, as they combat security challenges across the country.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja has commended the troops for their commitment and urged them not to relent as they strive in synergy with other services and security agencies to provide a safe and secured atmosphere for all Nigerians’ he said.
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