Troops Smash Illegal Arms factory, Arrest Gunrunner in Plateau, Kaduna
FILE PHOTO. Nigerian Army
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE, operating across Plateau State and parts of Bauchi and Kaduna States, have stormed Gwandanu Village in Langtang North Local Government Area of Plateau State, dismantling an illegal arms fabrication facility.
The troops also arrested a suspected gunrunner and recovered weapons in Gidan Waya community, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to the spokesperson for the operation, Captain Polycarp Oteh, the coordinated actions followed sustained intelligence-driven efforts by security forces to neutralise illicit weapons networks and disrupt criminal activities within the Joint Operations Area.
Providing details of the Plateau operation, Captain Oteh stated:
“The operation, conducted at approximately 1700 hours on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, led to the arrest of two suspects who were apprehended while actively fabricating sophisticated firearms.
“During the precision raid, troops recovered a significant cache of weapons and industrial-grade equipment used in the illicit production of arms.
“Items recovered include two AK-47 rifles and one G3 rifle, as well as manufacturing equipment comprising two generating sets, a welding machine, a drilling machine, a hand filer, and a comprehensive technical toolbox.”
In a related operation, Captain Oteh disclosed that troops deployed to 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.
“Troops, in conjunction with Forest Guards, pursued the assailants towards the Jaginde Forest axis. On sighting the advancing troops near Ungwar Maruwa, the suspects abandoned their motorcycle and fled into nearby bushland.
“Troops successfully intercepted and apprehended one fleeing suspect. A subsequent search of the criminals’ hideouts led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one AK-pattern rifle, a motorcycle, and a sleeping mat.
“The arrested suspect is currently in custody and undergoing preliminary interrogation to establish the scope of the distribution network and any links to broader criminal syndicates.”
He added that troops have since intensified clearance and mop-up operations across the general area to recover additional illegally fabricated weapons and track down other fleeing members of the criminal group.
Captain Oteh emphasised that these operations underscore the military’s sustained commitment to restoring peace and stability within the Operation ENDURING PEACE Joint Operations Area by systematically targeting sources of armed violence and organised crime.
He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing security operations and enhance the safety of affected communities.
Source: Daily Trust
