The Quick Reinforcement Force (QRF) of 251 Battalion, 7 Div Garison on routine checks arrested a truck loaded with 25 jerry cans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and other goods cleverly covered and concealed at Molai check point, outskirts of Maiduguri at about 8.00am today.
A statement from Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman Kukasheka said the driver of the vehicle, Muhammadu Adamu, claimed ignorance of the contents of the vehicle and called the owner of the goods, Tijjani Gambo to explain.
“He too (owner of the goods)denied supplying terrorists fuel and other items, rather he claimed to be a mere trader that supplies goods to customers in Damboa based on demand. However, preliminary investigation revealed that he has been sending PMS and other goods through the same route at regular intervals without an identifiable corresponding recipient in Damboa as alleged.
“Although investigations are still ongoing, it is suspected that it could be the means through which he had been supplying the terrorists in dire need of logistics in Sambisa forest. This is more so that there is a ban on the purchase and transportation of petrol in containers such as that within the theatre.
“Both suspects and the exhibits have been handed over to Joint Interrogation Centre for further investigations, ” the statement said.