The troops of 1 Division of the Nigerian Army have apprehended two individuals, Shuaibu Lawan and Salihu Usman. suspected to be involved in the illicit supply of ammunition to terrorist groups.
Musa Yahaya, Acting Deputy Director Army, Public Relations 1 Division, announced this in a statement on Wednesday.
According to Yahaya, the suspects were apprehended in various locations in the Awon general area of Kachia Local Government in Kaduna State after receiving an intelligence report from a previously captured suspect.
He disclosed that ammunition such as guns, live cartridges and shells of expended cartridges were unearthed from the compounds of the suspects.
“Following credible intelligence, troops of 1 Division Nigerian Army in the early hours of Tuesday 24 October 2023 arrested two terrorists collaborators and ammunition suppliers in Awon general area of Kachia Local Government Area in Kaduna State. The criminals were arrested in their various houses around Awon based on intelligence from a previously arrested collaborator who has been in troops custody.
“The arrested criminals are Shuaibu Lawan and Salihu Usman. Items recovered include one locally made AK 47 rifle, 2 dane guns, 8 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 7 live cartridges and 5 shells of expended cartridges. The items were recovered from where they were earlier buried in the criminals compound.”
Yahaya further stated that in another clearance operation by troops of the same division, suspected terrorists were engaged in a gun duel in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, which led to the recovery of ammunition, motorcycles, and mobile phones while the suspects fled.
“In another operation the same day, troops of the division while on clearance operation around Dogon daji-Saulawa general area in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area made contact with terrorists and criminal elements. Troops engaged the criminals in a gun duel forcing them to scamper in disarray due to troops superior fire power. Items recovered include a G3 rifle, 16 Motorcycles, 2 locally made guns and a phone,” he said.