Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested four suspected illegal arms fabricators and gunrunners in Plateau State, recovering locally fabricated firearms, ammunition and other items during coordinated operations.


The arrests were made in Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas between October 7 and October 11, following intelligence received by the operation’s headquarters on October 4 regarding the alleged activities of illegal arms fabricators and gunrunners in the areas.


According to an operational report, one of the suspects, identified as Ayuba Sunday Abot, was allegedly operating as an arms fabricator in Heipang, within Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.


The other three suspects, identified as Tangkat Danjuma, Kopdi Appollos and Nyam Nzang, were arrested over their alleged involvement in illegal arms trafficking in Mangu and Barkin Ladi LGAs.


Items recovered during the operations included one locally fabricated revolver rifle, one fabricated pistol, an AK-47 barrel and an AK-47 magazine.


The troops also recovered 42 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and some materials described in the operational report as metaphysical items.


Preliminary interrogation reportedly indicated that the suspects purchased ammunition at ₦3,000 per round from a soldier whose identity had yet to be established.


The suspects and the recovered items have been taken to the headquarters of Operation Enduring Peace for further investigation, according to the report.


The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by security forces to dismantle illegal arms networks and curb the circulation of illicit weapons that could be used by criminal groups operating in Plateau State.


The investigation is expected to establish the source of the recovered weapons and ammunition and determine whether other individuals are connected to the alleged arms-trafficking network.