Troops intercept truck conveying live 164,000 cartridges in Anambra

Troops intercept truck conveying live 164,000 cartridges in Anambra

The Nigerian Army has intercepted a truck carrying over 164,000 live cartridges along the Asaba–Onitsha expressway.

The Army troops of Sector 5 of Operation UDO KA executed the operation alongside personnel from the 63 Brigade and the Department of State Services (DSS) on May 29.

Counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, disclosed on Tuesday that the intercepted truck was allegedly transporting ammunition.

The ammunition was reportedly for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The operatives also arrested a suspected arms courier, Emeka Omenife, who was allegedly part of a syndicate smuggling ammunition from Ghana into Nigeria.

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Omenife was handed over to the DSS and reportedly confessed during interrogation.

His confession led to the arrest of an accomplice, Uchenna Obiora, at the Onitsha–Awka tollgate on May 30, while he was waiting to receive the shipment.

Makama noted that the intercepted truck was moved to the Onitsha Military Cantonment, where troops discovered 164,650 live cartridges hidden in four compartments within the cargo bed.

The cartridges were reportedly destined for Onitsha and the Army said it is investigating the matter and tracking other members of the smuggling syndicate.

Omenife was previously arrested on January 22 by troops and officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) at his residence in Onitsha Housing Estate.

During that earlier arrest, he attempted to escape and was shot in the buttocks before being treated and handed over to police.

Troops intercept truck conveying live 164,000 cartridges in Anambra