Army Intercepts Petrol Tanker Loaded With Arms

The Army has announced the interception of a
petrol tanker loaded with arms and
ammunitions in Kebbi.

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.