The Nigerian Army has impounded three trucks loaded with ammunition being smuggled into the country from neighbouring Republic of Benin. According to the Brigade Commander of 35 Artllery Brigade, Ogun State, General Olaniyi Olatunde, the three trucks contained over 300,000 live cartridges of pump-action ammunition.

Olatunde said the drivers of the trucks fled and abandoned the ammunition but efforts are being made to get them. While displaying the impounded trucks and ammunition before newsmen, he said the trucks were impounded following intelligence report.

He said: “Following a tip-off received from well-meaning Nigerians during anti-illegal bunkering, anti-pipeline vandalism and anti-smuggling patrols, on May 30, 2018, at about 2:58am, troops of 81 Division, Nigerian Army, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police, Department of State Security, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, intercepted three five-ton trucks with vehicle registration numbers ANAMBRA AAH 409 ZV, LAGOS BDG 782 XU and LAGOS GGF 88 XU loaded with thousands of live cartridges, at Balogun village, along Igbogila-Ilara road, Ogun State.

“The live cartridges in boxes and cartons were carefully concealed and sealed in a false-base made up of wooden platform with metallic plates. The drivers and their crew, on sighting troops, abandoned their trucks and fled. A team is on the trail of the fleeing drivers, their crew, collaborators and sponsors, as investigation is ongoing.”

He said that the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Major General Enobong Okon Udoh, wished to use this opportunity to thank the people of Lagos and Ogun states for their continued cooperation and urged them to always give timely information. He pledged not to relent until the area is rid of all forms of cultism, smuggling, vandalism and other criminal activities and elements. He enjoined members of the public to always reach out and contact the nearest military barracks for timely, useful information.

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