Dare Babalola
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have dismantled two illegal arms manufacturing factories in Vom, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, arresting five suspects and recovering a cache of weapons and industrial equipment.
The operation was carried out on Thursday by troops of the Quick Response Force of the Joint Task Force as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the supply chain of illicit firearms and enhance security within the operation’s area of responsibility.
According to a statement on Friday by the Media Information Officer of Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, the raid followed “highly intensified, comprehensive human intelligence gathering and strategic surveillance.”
He said, “The well-coordinated raid operation was part of the ongoing efforts by Operation Enduring Peace aimed at cutting off the supply chain of illicit firearms and safeguarding law-abiding citizens within its Joint Operations Area.”
Oteh disclosed that troops discovered two illegal arms production sites and arrested five suspects who were allegedly caught while fabricating weapons.
He added that a search of the factories led to the recovery of nine fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, four empty AK-47 magazines, seven skeletal AK-47 rifles and 10 rifle butts.
Other items recovered included 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 tools.
“The suspects and recovered items are currently in custody for further exploitation and detailed investigation,” the statement said.
The task force also noted that troops were consolidating ongoing covert operations to mop up arms and ammunition already in circulation.
Operation Enduring Peace appreciated the support of residents and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
