20110311
reuters

JOS, Nigeria, Mrach. 11 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian troops operating in central north Plateau State have seized a full truck load of sophisticated ammunitions.

A military spokesperson attached to the Special Task Force (STF) Capt. Charles Eckoacha disclosed this to reporters in Jos, the state capital on Friday.

"This is to bring to your notice the arrest of a truck loaded with 15, 000kg ammunitions Nitrate (25kg) 5,000kg of corked fuse (500MX 100ctns) 5,000kgpcs of eclectic Detonator (1,000pcsx5cas1, 000 pcs of cordex rekeys, 25 mm (1 case) 80 pcs of Electric Detonator," he told reporters.

Other ammunitions apprehended were, 775kg of super power 25 mm (25kg x31) 5pcs of Drilling Rod 4 fit and 5pcs of Drilling Rod 6 fits, he said.

The military spokesperson said the vehicle was intercepted at a check point within the state, adding that the vehicle was on its way into the state from Kaduna.

Eckoacha said the apprehended truck belong to a company known as DUWAN Company Ltd of plot 10,129 Yelwa complex Jos.

According to him, one of the nitrates arrested was capable of manufacturing not less than 1,000 explosives.

He said the truck and its content have been impounded by the STF and detained at the headquarters of the command in Jos.

The Plateau State is situated in Nigeria's middle belt where the Muslim-dominated north and the Christian-majority south meet. It has seen years of ethnic tensions and is a major potential flashpoint ahead of the April presidential elections.

The state capital Jos was plunged in a pool of blood on March 7, 2010, when members of local Muslim and Christian communities fought each other in revenge for previous killings.

Police said 109 people were slain in the March 7 tragedy, mostly women and children, weeks after hundreds died in waves of sectarian violence in the region. The bombings in Jos on the Christmas Eve last year killed at least 80 people.