Troops of the 3rd Armoured Division under Operation Enduring Peace have raided an illegal arms manufacturing factory in Heipang District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The operation, which was conducted on September 17 based on credible intelligence, led to the recovery of arms and ammunition from the facility. One suspected weapon fabricator was arrested, while others fled before the troops arrived.
Confirming the development on Thursday, the operation’s spokesperson, Major Zhakom, told journalists that the raid was part of ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace in Plateau and parts of Bauchi and Kaduna States.
Major Zhakom said that during the operation, a thorough search of the illegal factory led to the recovery of the following items: twelve assorted fabricated weapons, one fabricated pistol, nineteen rounds of PKT ammunition, twelve cartridges, and ten rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition. Additional items recovered include “ten rounds of 9 mm ammunition, four rounds of 7.62 mm (NATO), one round of QJC ammunition, one smoke grenade, two fragmentary jackets, one Motorola handheld radio, one jackknife, and one bucket containing different medicines,” he said.
Major Zhakom further said the arrested suspect and recovered items were in custody for further action, stressing that efforts were ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing members of the illegal weapon manufacturing syndicate.
He said the operation is in continuation of efforts to mop up illicit arms and ammunition in the Joint Operations Area (JOA), urging the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies to support the ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity.