Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested four suspected arms fabricators and gunrunners and recovered locally fabricated firearms and ammunition in Plateau State.
The arrests followed coordinated covert operations conducted between October 7 and 11 in Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas, according to an operational report.
The report said the operation was launched following intelligence received on October 4 about the activities of suspected illegal arms fabricators and gunrunners in the two local government areas.
The suspects were identified as Ayuba Sunday Abot, an alleged arms fabricator operating in Heipang, Barkin Ladi, and three suspected gunrunners, Tangkat Danjuma, Kopdi Appollos and Nyam Nzang.
Items recovered during the operation included a locally fabricated revolver rifle, a fabricated pistol, a fabricated AK-47 barrel and an AK-47 magazine.
Troops also recovered 42 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and materials described in the report as metaphysical items.
“Preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects purchased the ammunition for N3,000 per round from a soldier whose identity had yet to be established,” the report said.
It added that the suspects and recovered items had been taken to the OPEP headquarters for further investigation and follow-up operations.
The operation forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle illegal arms networks and curb the circulation of illicit weapons in Plateau State.
