Troops have discovered illegal weapon-making factories in Jos South LGA of Plateau state with five suspects arrested.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency
publication, that the suspects were arrested on Wednesday during a joint raid
carried out by the ‘Quick Response Force (QRF) of Headquarters OPEP’ at Vom
community of Plateau state.
The operation came after several weeks of intelligence
gathering and secret surveillance by security operatives.
“According to the sources, the operation targeted two
separate illegal arms manufacturing sites where the suspects were allegedly
caught in the act of fabricating weapons for attacks and silent killings,”
Makama said.
“Items recovered during the raid included nine fabricated
AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, four empty magazines, seven skeleton
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 tools used for
weapon fabrication.”
Security sources told the publication that the operation
followed extensive intelligence efforts to track illegal arms networks and
weapon-making groups operating in communities across Plateau state.
The suspects and the weapons recovered during the raid have
been taken into custody for further investigation.
“Security sources said ongoing covert operations were being
intensified to track other illegal arms manufacturers and recover weapons
proliferated across Plateau State,” Makama said.
“The latest discovery comes amid renewed attacks and
reprisals in parts of Plateau, particularly in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Mangu and
Bokkos Local Government Areas, where communities have witnessed recurring
violence involving armed groups, militias and criminal elements.”
Quoting sources, the publication said the facility was the
third illegal arms factory discovered within the last three weeks.
“Security assessments indicate that while attacks in Plateau
are often attributed solely to suspected Fulani militias or bandits,” the
report added.
“Several armed groups within local communities, including
ethnic Berom militias, have also been implicated in series of attacks,
reprisals, attack on mining sites, illegal possession of firearms and violent
attacks.”
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