The Commanding Officer, 1 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Sunday Ilori, told newsmen on Saturday in Birnin Kebbi that the vehicle, bearing the logo of Mobil Oil, was intercepted on July 11, in a joint operation with men of the State Security Service.
He listed the items recovered in the fuel compartment of the oil tanker as three AK 47 Riffles, one RPG-2, nine AK 47 magazines, two bombs, three RPG chargers and 790 rounds of 7.62mm of special ammunitions
“The arrest and confiscation of arms was sequel to the on-going operations of the 1 Battalion of the Nigerian Army with headquarters in Sokoto, against insurgency and insurgent activities within its area of responsibilities.
“The efforts resulted in the arrest of one suspect, arms and ammunition and a petrol tanker on July 11, 2013 after a combined operation between the 1 Battalion of the Nigerian Army and the State Security Services,” Mr. Ilori said.
He added that two other suspects had escaped when the vehicle was intercepted, assuring that investigation was on to “unravel the source and ownership of the arms and ammunition”.
The commanding officer appealed to the public to continue supporting the Army and other security agencies in the current war against insurgents in the country.
The suspect claimed that he was paid N500, 000 to deliver the items to Sokoto and that the owners had threatened to eliminate his family.
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