Nigerian troops intercept trucks with 300,000 live cartridges

LAGOS, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian troops intercepted three trucks loaded with over 300,000 live cartridges at Igbogila-Ilara area of southwest Nigeria's Ogun state, a senior officer with the Army said Thursday.

The trucks were intercepted at Balogun Village on Wednesday, Maj.-Gen. Enobong Udoh, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 81 Division told reporters in Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub.

The live cartridges in boxes and cartons were carefully concealed in a wooden platform with metallic plates, the military officer said.

The GOC said the drivers and their accomplices, on sighting the troops, abandoned their trucks and fled.

He said the team was on the trail of the fleeing drivers, their collaborators as well as sponsors.

The GOC, who said the interception followed a tip-off received from well-meaning Nigerians, thanked residents of southwest Lagos and Ogun states for their continued cooperation.

He urged them to always give timely information. Enditem