Nigerian troops deployed to Moriki, Zamfara State, on Monday, intercepted a motorcyclist with a bag full of ammunition, which he disguised as a bag of rice.
Military sources briefed on the incident said while the motorcyclist escaped, the bike and the bag of ammunition were captured.
The bag contained about 4653 x rods of 7.62mm (special), the sources said.
Military authorities said the interception occurred after they got a tipoff that arms were being transported in the Moriki area of Zamfara State, following which they mounted an emergency stop and search checkpoint.
“On mounting the checkpoint not quite long, a motorbike arrived at the location with a bag looking like a bag of rice,” a military source briefed about the incident said.
With the motorcyclist refusing to stop for routine checks, sources said he was chased but escaped, leaving behind the vehicle and the bag stuffed with bullets.
Soldiers and the police have been urged to brace for the new tactics used by criminals in peddling arms and ammunition.