Shock in Plateau: Troops Uncover Secret AK-47 Factories, Arrest Gun Makers in Jos
By Paul Ebi
Troops of the Quick Response Force (QRF) under Operation ENDURING PEACE have uncovered and dismantled two illegal arms manufacturing factories in Vom, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, leading to the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of a large cache of weapons and fabrication equipment.
The operation, carried out on Thursday, May 7, 2026, was part of the military’s intensified crackdown on illicit firearms production and efforts to disrupt the supply chain of illegal weapons fueling insecurity within its Joint Operations Area (JOA).
According to a statement issued by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, the successful raid followed extensive human intelligence gathering and strategic surveillance by security operatives.
He explained that troops stormed the two illegal arms manufacturing sites in a well-coordinated precision operation and caught five suspects in the act of producing sophisticated firearms.
Items recovered during the operation included nine fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, four empty AK-47 magazines, seven skeletal AK-47 rifles, and ten rifle butts.
Security personnel 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 several other industrial tools used in the illegal production of arms.
The suspects and all recovered items are currently in military custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Captain Oteh stated that troops are continuing covert operations to track and recover other illegal arms and ammunition believed to already be in circulation, as part of efforts to completely dismantle the criminal network behind the illicit factories.
He commended residents for their support and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding law-abiding citizens and restoring peace across Plateau State and other parts of the country affected by criminal violence.
