PICTORIAL: Troops Bust Illegal Arms Factories In Plateau, Arrest 5 Suspects

Troops of the Nigerian Army have uncovered and dismantled two illegal arms manufacturing factories in Vom, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, arresting five suspects and recovering a cache of locally fabricated weapons and industrial equipment.

The operation, carried out on Thursday, was executed by troops of the Quick Response Force under Operation Enduring Peace as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply of illicit firearms within the joint operations area.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, the raid followed “highly intensified, comprehensive human intelligence gathering and strategic surveillance.”

The statement noted that troops stormed the two illegal weapon production sites in Vom during what it described as a “precision operation,” where the suspects were allegedly caught in the act of fabricating weapons.

Items recovered during the operation included nine fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, four empty AK-47 magazines, seven skeletal AK-47 rifles and 10 rifle butts.

Troops also recovered 36 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammunition, four revolver engines, 14 recoiling springs, six hand drilling machines, nine filing machines, four welding machines, alongside assorted industrial equipment allegedly used in weapon fabrication.

“The operation was part of the ongoing efforts by Operation ENDURING PEACE aimed at cutting off the supply chain of illicit firearms and safeguarding law-abiding citizens within its Joint Operations Area,” the statement read.

The military said the suspects and all recovered exhibits are currently in custody for further investigation and exploitation.

It further disclosed that troops are continuing covert follow-up operations to “mop up the remnants of arms and ammunition already in circulation.”

Operation Enduring Peace also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible information on suspicious activities linked to criminal elements.