Troops of the Quick Response Force under Operation ENDURING PEACE 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 illegally fabricated weapons and industrial equipment.
The operation, carried out on Thursday, formed part of ongoing efforts by Operation ENDURING PEACE to disrupt the supply chain of illicit firearms and strengthen security within its Joint Operations Area.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, the raid followed intensified human intelligence gathering and strategic surveillance by security operatives.
The intelligence-led operation resulted in the discovery of two clandestine arms production sites where suspects were allegedly caught manufacturing weapons.
During the coordinated raid, troops arrested five suspects and recovered a significant quantity of fabricated firearms, ammunition components and industrial machinery used in the illegal production process.
Items recovered included nine fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, four empty AK-47 magazines, seven skeletal AK-47 rifles and 10 rifle butts.
Security operatives 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 and other industrial equipment.
The military said the suspects and recovered exhibits were currently in custody for further investigation and exploitation.
Operation ENDURING PEACE further disclosed that troops were consolidating ongoing covert operations aimed at tracing and recovering additional arms and ammunition believed to have already entered circulation.
The task force commended residents for their support and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information on suspicious activities to security agencies.
The latest operation underscores continuing efforts by security forces to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms and dismantle criminal networks involved in local arms production in Plateau State and neighbouring areas.
