By Nkechi Eze
Troops of 3 Division and Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace have raided an illegal arms manufacturing factory at Heipang District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, arresting a weapon fabricator and recovering a cache of weapons and ammunition. The operation, which took place on 17 September 2025, was part of ongoing efforts to mop up illicit arms and ammunition across the Joint Operations Area.
In an official statement signed by the Media Information Officer of Operation Enduring Peace, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, it was disclosed that the raid was intelligence-driven. According to him, troops stormed the facility where they arrested a fabricator while other suspects fled the scene before the soldiers arrived.
A thorough search of the premises uncovered a stockpile of fabricated and live weapons, including twelve assorted fabricated guns, a fabricated pistol, nineteen rounds of PKT ammunition, twelve cartridges, ten rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, ten rounds of 9mm ammunition, four rounds of 7.62mm (NATO), one round of QJC ammunition, and a smoke grenade. Troops also recovered two fragmental jackets, a Motorola hand-held radio, a jack knife, and a bucket filled with assorted medicines.
Major Zhakom confirmed that the arrested suspect and all recovered items are currently in custody for further action, while efforts are underway to track down and apprehend other members of the illegal weapons syndicate who escaped during the raid.
The statement further urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that such collaboration is critical to denying criminal elements freedom of action and eradicating illicit arms and ammunition within the Joint Operations Area.
