Troops of the Nigerian Army have busted two illegal arms manufacturing factories in Plateau State and arrested five suspects allegedly involved in the fabrication of weapons.
The development was disclosed on Friday by Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Media Information Officer of Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, in a statement issued on behalf of the military operation.
According to the statement, the operation was carried out on Thursday, May 7, 2026, by troops of the Quick Response Force under Operation ENDURING PEACE in Vom, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The military explained that the operation followed an extensive intelligence-driven surveillance mission targeted at illegal arms production networks operating within the area.
According to the statement, security operatives intensified human intelligence gathering and strategic monitoring before eventually identifying and raiding the illegal facilities.
The army further stated that troops apprehended suspects allegedly caught producing weapons during the raid.
The military said the raid formed part of ongoing efforts aimed at disrupting the supply chain of illicit firearms and protecting law-abiding residents within the Joint Operations Area.
Security operatives recovered a large cache of weapons, firearm components, ammunition materials, and industrial equipment believed to have been used for the illegal production of arms.
The military said the suspects and all recovered exhibits are currently in custody for further investigation and intelligence exploitation.
Operation ENDURING PEACE added that troops are continuing covert operations aimed at tracking down remaining illegal arms networks and recovering weapons already circulating within affected communities.
Plateau State, located in Nigeria’s North-Central region, has witnessed recurring attacks linked to communal violence, armed groups, and criminal gangs in recent years.
The wider northern region has also continued to face persistent insecurity ranging from insurgency and banditry to coordinated terror attacks.
Two months later, multiple improvised explosive device explosions in Maiduguri killed at least 23 people and injured more than 100 others, underscoring the continued operational capacity of insurgent groups.