Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have uncovered and dismantled two illegal arms manufacturing factories in Vom, as security forces intensify efforts to curb the spread of illicit weapons in Plateau State.
The operation was carried out by the Quick Response Force of the Joint Task Force following what the military described as extensive intelligence gathering and strategic surveillance by security operatives.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of Operation ENDURING PEACE, Captain Chinonso Oteh, troops during the raid arrested five suspects allegedly involved in the illegal production of firearms.
Security personnel also recovered a significant cache of weapons and fabrication equipment from the factories.
Items seized include nine fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, four empty AK-47 magazines, seven skeletal AK-47 rifles, and ten rifle butts.
Other materials recovered from the sites include thirty-six empty shells of 7.62mm special ammunition, four revolver engines, fourteen recoiling springs, six hand drilling machines, nine filing machines, four welding machines, and several industrial tools believed to have been used in the production of illegal arms.
The Joint Task Force confirmed that the suspects and recovered exhibits are currently in custody for further investigation, while troops continue follow-up operations aimed at recovering additional weapons and ammunition already in circulation.
Operation ENDURING PEACE commended residents for supporting security efforts and urged the public to remain vigilant by reporting suspicious activities to relevant security agencies.
