Troops of the Nigerian Army have busted two illegal arms manufacturing factories in Plateau State and arrested five suspects allegedly involved in the fabrication of weapons.
The development was disclosed on Friday by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, in a statement issued on behalf of the military operation.
According to the statement, the operation was carried out on Thursday, May 7, 2026, by troops of the Quick Response Force under Operation ENDURING PEACE in Vom, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
What they are saying
The military explained that the operation followed an extensive intelligence-driven surveillance mission targeted at illegal arms production networks operating within the area.
According to the statement, security operatives intensified human intelligence gathering and strategic monitoring before eventually identifying and raiding the illegal facilities.
- “The operation, which was the result of a highly intensified, comprehensive human intelligence gathering and strategic surveillance led to the discovery of 2 illegal arms manufacturing sites.”
The army further stated that troops apprehended suspects allegedly caught producing weapons during the raid.
- “During the precision operation, troops arrested 5 suspects caught in the act of fabricating lethal weapons,” the statement said.
The military said the raid formed part of ongoing efforts aimed at disrupting the supply chain of illicit firearms and protecting law-abiding residents within the Joint Operations Area.
More insights
Security operatives recovered a large cache of weapons, firearm components, ammunition materials, and industrial equipment believed to have been used for the illegal production of arms.
- Among the recovered items were nine fabricated AK-47 rifles, a locally made pistol, four empty AK-47 magazines, seven skeletal AK-47 rifles, and 10 rifle butts.
- Troops also recovered 36 empty 7.62mm special shells, four revolver engines, 14 recoiling springs, six hand drilling machines, nine filing machines, four welding machines, alongside several other industrial tools used in weapon fabrication.
The military said the suspects and all recovered exhibits are currently in custody for further investigation and intelligence exploitation.
Operation ENDURING PEACE added that troops are continuing covert operations aimed at tracking down remaining illegal arms networks and recovering weapons already circulating within affected communities.
What you should know
Plateau State, located in Nigeria’s North-Central region, has witnessed recurring attacks linked to communal violence, armed groups, and criminal gangs in recent years.
- On Wednesday, the Plateau State Police Command confirmed that five residents of the Nding Susut community in Fan district of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area were killed during an attack by gunmen on Tuesday night. The disclosure was made in a statement issued by the police spokesperson, Alfred Alabo.
- Earlier, on March 29, gunmen attacked the Angwan Rukuba community in Plateau State, leaving more than 28 people dead and several others injured, according to the state government.
The wider northern region has also continued to face persistent insecurity ranging from insurgency and banditry to coordinated terror attacks.
- In January 2026, coordinated insurgent attacks across Borno State reportedly claimed the lives of at least 25 civilians and 11 security personnel.
Two months later, multiple improvised explosive device explosions in Maiduguri killed at least 23 people and injured more than 100 others, underscoring the continued operational capacity of insurgent groups.
