Troops of the Joint Task Force-Operation Enduring Peace (JTF-OPEP) have arrested five suspected illegal arms fabricators and recovered a cache of weapons during a raid in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
This was contained in an operational report by the Nigerian Army, made available to reporters in Abuja on Friday.
The report said the operation was conducted on Thursday at about 15:00 hours at Vom community, based on credible human intelligence (HUMINT) about illegal arms manufacturing in the area.
Troops carried out a well-coordinated raid on two fabrication sites, where the suspects were caught in the act of manufacturing illegal weapons.
During the operation, five suspects were arrested, while troops recovered nine fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally fabricated pistol, seven skeleton AK-47 rifles, four empty magazines, 10 rifle butt stocks, and other components.
Items recovered also include 36 empty shells of 7.62mm ammunition, four revolver components, 14 recoiling springs, six hand drilling machines, nine filing machines, four welding machines, and other assorted tools used for arms fabrication.
The suspects and all recovered exhibits are currently in custody for further investigation. The army added that follow-up operations are ongoing to dismantle remaining illegal arms networks in the region.
