Troops Foil Terror Plot, Seize Massive Arms Haul on Kaduna-Jos Highway

​KADUNA – In a major blow to the logistics networks of insurgent groups, troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, have intercepted a significant shipment of heavy ammunition and explosive components along the busy Kaduna-Jos highway.

​The operation, which occurred at approximately 11:45 am on Thursday near the Boys Science Secondary School in Manchok, led to the arrest of seven individuals, including the driver of the transport vehicle.

​The Media Information Officer for the operation, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, confirmed the breakthrough in a statement on Friday. He revealed that the interception was the result of a precision stop-and-search operation conducted by troops stationed at Manchok, supported by a Special Forces Tactical Team.

​The Interception

​Security forces flagged down a navy-blue Opel Wagon commercial vehicle, bearing registration number NSR 154 TA KANO, which was traveling toward Jos with seven passengers. A comprehensive search of the vehicle uncovered a lethal cache of “war materiel” concealed within the cabin.

​Recovered items include:

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• ​569 rounds of 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft (AA) gun ammunition.
• ​Several high-velocity warheads.
• ​189 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammunition.
• ​A collection of disused mobile handsets.

​Technical experts noted that the recovered GSM handsets are frequently utilized by terror elements as triggers for remotely detonated Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

​”It Was a Waybill,” Driver Claims

​During on-site interrogation, the driver, identified as Mr. Khalifa Bawa, attempted to distance himself from the deadly cargo. Bawa claimed he was merely transporting the items as a “waybill” consignment handed to him by an anonymous source.

​Critically, the driver alleged he possessed no contact information or identifying details for the sender at the point of origin, nor did he have a specific recipient’s identity at the destination—a common tactic used by logistics couriers for insurgent groups to maintain plausible deniability.

​Ongoing Investigation

​The Nigerian Army has taken all seven occupants of the vehicle into custody. Military sources indicate that the suspects will be transferred to appropriate agencies for detailed interrogation to dismantle the wider network involved in the shipment.

​”The interception has dealt a significant blow to the logistics capability of terrorist elements operating within this Joint Operations Area,” Captain Oteh stated, adding that vigilance remains high along the corridor to prevent the transit of illicit hardware.

​This success comes as Operation Enduring Peace—which recently replaced Operation Safe Haven in the Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna axis—continues to intensify its “clearance operations” against kidnapping syndicates and insurgent corridors in the North Central region.