By Augustine Ehikioya
Cracking down on illicit arms and ammunition in the Joint Operations Area (JOA), troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE have raided an illegal arms manufacturing factory at Heipang District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State.
During the intelligence-based operation on 17 September, 2025, troops arrested a weapon fabricator while others fled the factory before troops arrived in the area.
A statement by Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, Media Information Officer, JTF Operation ENDURING PEACE, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), said that a thorough search of the illegal factory led to the recovery of the following items:
Twelve assorted fabricated weapons, One fabricated pistol. Nineteen rounds of PKT ammunition, Twelve cartridges, Ten rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, Ten rounds of 9 mm ammunition, Four rounds of 7.62 mm NATO, One round of QJC ammunition, One smoke grenade, Two fragmental jackets, One Motorola Hand Held radio, One Jack knife, One bucket containing different medicines.
It said “The arrested suspect and recovered items are in custody for further action. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing members of the illegal weapon manufacturing syndicate.
“3 Division/JTF OPEP urged the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies to support the ongoing efforts to deny the criminal elements freedom of action, eradicate illicit arms and ammunition within the JOA,” the statement stated.
