Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE have uncovered two illegal arms manufacturing factories in Plateau State and arrested five suspects allegedly involved in the production of weapons.
The operation was disclosed on Friday by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, in a statement issued on behalf of the military formation.
According to the statement, the operation was carried out on Thursday, May 7, 2026, by troops of the Quick Response Force in Vom, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, following an intelligence-driven mission targeting illegal arms production networks in the area.
The military said the breakthrough came after weeks of intensified human intelligence gathering and strategic surveillance, which led security operatives to the illegal facilities.
“The operation, which was the result of highly intensified and comprehensive human intelligence gathering and strategic surveillance, led to the discovery of two illegal arms manufacturing sites,” the statement said.
During the raid, troops reportedly arrested five suspects allegedly caught in the act of fabricating weapons.
“During the precision operation, troops arrested five suspects caught in the act of fabricating lethal weapons,” the military added.
Security operatives also recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition materials, firearm components, and industrial equipment believed to have been used for the illegal production of arms.
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, 10 rifle butts, 36 empty 7.62mm special shells, four revolver engines, and 14 recoiling springs.
Troops also recovered six hand drilling machines, nine filing machines, four welding machines, and several other industrial tools suspected to have been used in weapon fabrication.
The military said the suspects and all recovered exhibits are currently in custody for further investigation and intelligence exploitation.
It added that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle illegal arms networks, disrupt the supply of illicit firearms, and enhance security across communities within the Joint Operations Area.
Operation ENDURING PEACE further stated that troops have continued covert operations aimed at tracking down other members of the network and recovering weapons already in circulation.
The latest development comes amid persistent security challenges in Plateau State and other parts of northern Nigeria, where communities have continued to face attacks linked to armed groups, criminal gangs, and communal violence.
