By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the Quick Response Force (QRF) under Operation ENDURING PEACE have busted two illegal arms manufacturing factories in Vom, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, arresting five suspects and recovering a cache of illegally fabricated weapons and industrial equipment.
The successful raid, conducted on Thursday, 7 May 2026, formed part of ongoing operations aimed at dismantling the supply chain of illicit firearms and enhancing security within the Joint Operations Area (JOA).
According to an official signed statement by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, Captain Chinonso Oteh, the operation followed intensified human intelligence gathering and strategic surveillance which led troops to the two clandestine arms production sites.
Captain Oteh disclosed that troops apprehended five suspects who were allegedly caught in the act of fabricating lethal weapons during the precision raid operation.
Items recovered from the illegal factories included nine fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally fabricated pistol, four empty AK-47 magazines, seven skeletal AK-47 rifles, and 10 rifle butts.
Other items recovered were 36 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammunition, four revolver engines, 14 recoiling springs, six hand drilling machines, nine filing machines, four welding machines, as well as assorted industrial equipment used in the illegal arms production activities.
The statement noted that the suspects and all recovered exhibits are currently in custody for further investigation and exploitation.
It added that troops are consolidating ongoing covert operations aimed at mopping up illegally circulated arms and ammunition within the area.
Operation ENDURING PEACE also appreciated the support of residents and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities of criminal elements to security agencies.
