Troops Bust Illegal Arms Syndicate in Plateau, Arrest Four Suspects
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested an alleged illegal arms fabricator and three suspected gunrunners during coordinated covert operations in Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation followed intelligence received by the OPEP headquarters on October 4 regarding the activities of suspected arms fabricators and gunrunners operating in the two local government areas.
Acting on the intelligence, troops conducted coordinated operations between October 7 and 11, targeting the suspects and their alleged criminal networks.
The operation led to the arrest of an alleged arms fabricator, identified as Ayuba Sunday Abot, at Heipang in Barkin Ladi LGA.
Read Also:
Three other suspects — Tangkat Danjuma, Kopdi Appollos and Nyam Nzang — were also arrested over their alleged involvement in illegal arms trafficking in Mangu and Barkin Ladi LGAs.
Items recovered during the operation included a fabricated revolver rifle, a fabricated pistol, an AK-47 rifle barrel and an AK-47 magazine.
The troops also recovered 42 rounds of 7.62mm × 54mm rimmed ball ammunition and materials described in the operational report as metaphysical items.
Preliminary interrogation reportedly indicated that the suspects purchased ammunition at ₦3,000 per round from an individual described as a security agent.
The suspects and recovered items have been taken to the OPEP headquarters for further investigation, according to the security sources.
The arrests form part of ongoing military efforts to dismantle illegal arms-trafficking networks and disrupt the supply of weapons and ammunition to criminal groups operating in Plateau State.
By PRNigeria
