Troops Bust Illegal Arms Manufacturing Factories, Recover Weapons in Plateau
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have uncovered and dismantled two illegal arms manufacturing factories in Plateau State, arresting suspects and recovering a cache of fabricated weapons and industrial equipment during a coordinated raid operation.
The operation, carried out by troops of the Quick Response Force on Thursday in Vom, Jos South Local Government Area, was part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply chain of illicit firearms and curb criminal activities within the Joint Operations Area.
Military authorities said the raid followed intensified human intelligence gathering and strategic surveillance that led troops to the illegal weapon production sites.
During the operation, five suspects were arrested while allegedly fabricating weapons at the facilities.
A statement issued on Friday by the Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, said troops recovered a significant cache of arms and weapon-making materials from the sites.
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Items recovered include 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 and other industrial equipment used in weapon fabrication.
The military said the suspects and recovered items are currently in custody for further investigation and exploitation.
It added that troops are continuing covert follow-up operations aimed at tracing illegal arms already circulated within the area and dismantling other criminal networks linked to the operation.
The operation, according to the military, underscores ongoing efforts by security forces to tackle illegal arms proliferation, which has continued to fuel violent crimes and insecurity in parts of the country.
Operation Enduring Peace also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information to security agencies on suspicious activities within their communities.
By PRNigeria
