Jos — There was palpable tension in Jos yesterday following the news that a heavy duty vehicle loaded with arms had arrived the city. The vehicle, which was apprehended by security officials around Zawang Junction, attracted hundreds of residents of the area.

Men of the Special Task Force in Jos had tried to stop the vehicle at the Mararaba-Jama'a Junction. When it refused to stop, they communicated to their colleagues at the other checkpoints.

The truck was eventually forced to park at the Zawang junction. By then news had gone round that the vehicle was ferrying arms into Jos and people ran out of their houses and places of work to see for themselves.

In the ensuing apprehension, people closed down their business premises for fear of the unknown.

The rumour attracted hundreds of people, particularly from the neigbouring Zawan village and other nearby communities.

Spokesman of the STF, Col Kingsley Umoh, who confirmed the arrest said the truck and the driver had been taken to the headquarters of the 3rd Armourd Division, Rukuba barracks for checks.

Our correspondent learnt that the vehicle was found to be loaded with a grinding machine when it was searched.