ABUJA, Nigeria — A high court judge refused bail for three Lebanese-Nigerian men accused of hoarding an arms cache in Nigeria's troubled north for the Lebanese political party and militant movement Hezbollah.
Judge Adeniyi Ademola Adetokunbo said Friday the men and quantity of arms discovered "pose national security challenges." Northeast Nigeria is under a state of emergency to halt an uprising by Islamic extremists.
Soldiers in May recovered rocket-propelled grenades, land mines, hand grenades and assault rifle magazines in a bunker under a bedroom in the northern city of Kano.
The judge at Abuja Federal High Court said the three likely would flee rather than stand trial on charges carrying a sentence of life imprisonment.
The judge sealed off the men's businesses for investigation. A trial is set for July 29.
