The Nigerian Army says its troops have intercepted and killed gunrunners bringing RPG bombs from the Republic of Niger into Nigeria.

The troops operating around Sabo Birni border town of Sokoto on Tuesday killed three gunrunners and recovered a cache of weapons.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Yerima explained that the troops executed the operation following credible information of gunrunners moving weapons on foot from the Niger Republic to Nigeria around 11:00 p.m.

He said the vigilant troops mounted a “successful ambush” along the suspected route close to Garin Naimaimai and killed the three gunrunners.

According to him, RPG bombs and RPG chargers, a machine gun, AK-47 assault rifle, and other accessories, and “different calibre of assorted ammunition” were recovered during the encounter.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has commended the troops for their gallantry.

“He urged them to sustain operations by dominating all the illegal routes around the border areas with the Niger Republic to frustrate movement of weapons and ammunition into the country,” said the army statement.