Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have dismantled an illegal arms manufacturing hub in Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State, arresting suspects and recovering weapons in coordinated operations across Plateau and Kaduna states.
Confirming the report, Media Information Officer Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh said the military disclosed that the raid, carried out at about 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday in Gwandanu Village, led to the arrest of two suspects allegedly caught fabricating sophisticated firearms at a clandestine facility.
Items recovered from the site included two AK-47 rifles and one G3 rifle, as well as equipment used in the production of illegal arms, such as generating sets, a welding machine, a drilling machine, a hand filler and a technical toolbox.
In a related operation, troops deployed at Gidan Waya in Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State responded to an armed attack on members of the Forest Guards and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria. Working in collaboration with the forest guards, the troops pursued the assailants towards the Jaginde Forest axis.
On sighting the advancing troops near Ungwar Maruwa, the suspects reportedly abandoned their motorcycle and fled into the bush. One of the fleeing suspects was subsequently apprehended.
A search of the suspects’ hideout led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, an AK-49 rifle, a motorcycle and a sleeping mat.
The military said the arrested suspects are in custody and undergoing investigation to determine the scope of their operations, including possible links to wider criminal networks.
It added that follow-up mop-up operations are ongoing to recover additional weapons and apprehend other fleeing suspects.
Operation ENDURING PEACE reaffirmed its commitment to curbing the proliferation of illegal arms and restoring stability in its area of responsibility, urging members of the public to provide timely and credible information to support ongoing security efforts.
