Odita Sunday 
…Military recovers fabricated rifles, ammunition, welding machines
…Operation targets illicit arms supply chain
By Odita Sunday
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have uncovered two illegal arms manufacturing factories in Plateau State and arrested five suspected gun fabricators during a coordinated military raid.
The operation, carried out by troops of the Quick Response Force (QRF) in Vom, Jos South Local Government Area, led to the recovery of fabricated AK-47 rifles, ammunition components and industrial machines allegedly used for the production of illegal weapons.
Military authorities described the operation as a major success in the ongoing war against illegal arms proliferation and criminal networks fueling insecurity in Plateau State and neighbouring areas.
A statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, said the operation followed sustained intelligence gathering and strategic surveillance by troops.
According to the statement, troops stormed the illegal factories on Thursday, May 7, 2026, and caught five suspects allegedly manufacturing weapons.
Items recovered from the operation include nine fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally fabricated 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.
Security analysts have continued to express concern over the growing spread of illegal arms factories across parts of the country, warning that such facilities contribute significantly to armed violence and criminality.
The military said the latest operation was specifically aimed at disrupting the supply chain of illicit weapons within the Joint Operations Area of Operation ENDURING PEACE.
“Suspects and recovered items are currently in custody for further exploitation and detailed investigation,” the statement said.
The military further disclosed that covert follow-up operations were ongoing to track weapons already distributed within criminal circles.
“While troops are currently consolidating the ongoing covert operation in order to mop-up the remnants of arms and ammunition already in circulation, Operation ENDURING PEACE appreciates the support of the citizenry and urged them to be more vigilant and report suspicious activities of criminal elements to security agencies,” the statement added.
Residents have repeatedly called for intensified security operations in Plateau communities following concerns over criminal activities and the circulation of illegal firearms in the state.
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