Troops of 13 Brigade operating under 82 Division Nigerian Army on Tuesday, intercepted a vehicle laden with assorted ammunition in Cross River State.

The Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Oyema Nwachukwu in a statement issued on Wesnesday by the PRO of 13 Brigade Headquarters, Capt. Tope Aluko, said a Toyota Camry car with registration number JAL 492 AA was used to convey the weapons.

Although the statement was silent  on the whereabouts of the persons who ferried the ammunition, it said the vehicle was ladened with assorted ammunition while enroute  Utanga village towards Obudu Mountains in Cross River State.

Nwachukwu said the troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Amana attempted to stop the vehicle at their checkpoint but the driver evaded the checking and zoomed off.

He said the driver’s recalcitrance compelled the troops to open fire on the vehicle’s tyres to immobilise it.

According to him, a thorough search conducted on the vehicle revealed that it was conveying 72 Improvised Explosive Device chargers, 121 Dynamite Liquid, 200 rounds of 7.62 mm (NATO) and 82 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition.

The statement read in part: “Troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Amana attempted to stop the vehicle at their checkpoint but the driver evaded the checking and zoomed off.

“The drivers recalcitrance compelled the troops to open fire on the tyres of the vehicle, thereby immobilizing it.

“A thorough search conducted on the vehicle revealed it was conveying 72 Improvised Explosive Device chargers, 121 Dynamite Liquid, 200 rounds of 7.62 mm (NATO) and 82 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition.

“Other items recovered in the intercepted vehicle are military uniforms and kits.”

Nwachukwu urged members of the public to continue to support troops with credible information that will lead to stemming the tide of insecurity across the country.