Troops Arrest Suspected Gunrunner, 3 Drug Peddlers in Plateau
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have arrested four suspects in separate operations targeting suspected criminal and illicit drug networks in Riyom and Bassa Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
In Riyom, troops of Sector 6, Operation ENDURING PEACE, deployed at Sopp, arrested a suspected gunrunner identified as Joseph Tukura, also known as Sarti.
Tukura was intercepted at about 9:00 p.m. on August 23, 2026, while riding a motorcycle along the Ungwan Boka–forest axis in Riyom Local Government Area.
Security sources said the suspect was intercepted over alleged involvement in criminal activities along the highway.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that Tukura had previously been arrested over suspected gunrunning activities but had allegedly returned to the area.
He is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation as security operatives seek to establish his possible links with other criminal elements operating along the highway and surrounding communities.
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Further investigation is also expected to determine whether the suspect is connected to a wider arms-trafficking or criminal network in the area.
In a separate operation in Bassa Local Government Area, troops of Sector 1, Operation ENDURING PEACE, arrested three suspected illicit drug peddlers during a raid on a suspected drug hideout at Mista Ali.
The operation was conducted at about 11:00 p.m. on August 23 at a location identified as “Downstairs/Upstairs,” which was reportedly being used for illicit drug activities.
The troops arrested three suspects and recovered quantities of substances suspected to be illicit drugs.
The suspects and recovered exhibits were subsequently handed over to the Keystone Outpost, Mista Ali, for further investigation and necessary action.
The operations form part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to disrupt criminal networks, curb the proliferation of illicit firearms and drugs, and prevent such activities from undermining security in vulnerable communities across Plateau State.
Security authorities are expected to sustain intelligence-led operations and inter-agency collaboration to identify and dismantle wider networks involved in arms trafficking, drug peddling and other forms of organised criminality in the state.
By PRNigeria
