Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have intercepted a large cache of ammunition and suspected improvised explosive device components along the Kaduna–Jos highway, disrupting a suspected logistics movement linked to terrorist elements.
The interception occurred at about 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, 16 April 2026, during a stop-and-search operation near Boys Science Secondary School on the Manchok–Jos road, according to a statement issued by the Joint Task Force.
A navy-blue Opel Waggon commercial vehicle with registration number NSR 154 TA (Kano), conveying seven passengers, was stopped and searched, leading to the discovery of concealed military-grade items within the vehicle.
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Recovered items include 569 rounds of 12.7mm anti-aircraft ammunition, several high-velocity warheads and 189 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Troops also recovered disused Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) handsets, which security experts identify as components commonly adapted for remotely detonated explosive devices.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Khalifa Bawa, reportedly claimed the items were part of a waybill consignment handed over by an unidentified individual, with no verifiable details of the sender or intended recipient.
All occupants of the vehicle have been taken into custody alongside the recovered items for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to trace the origin of the shipment and dismantle the network behind the movement of the materiel.
Operation ENDURING PEACE said the interception underscores ongoing efforts by troops to disrupt the movement of arms and explosives within its area of responsibility and to strengthen internal security operations.