Troops of the Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) which is responsible for maintaining peace in Plateau and some parts of Bauchi and Kaduna States, on Saturday, uncovered an illegal weapon manufacturing factory in Vom, Jos South local government area and arrested two suspects engaged in making the deadly weapons.
In a post on the official X handle of the Nigerian Army, the OPSH said the operation that led to the discovery of the factory and arrest was based on “actionable intelligence which marked a significant step in the ongoing efforts of the troops to combat illicit arms proliferation and ensure safety and security.”
It added that the factory, which engaged in manufacturing dangerous weapons which are sold to bandits and other criminal elements.
“The discovery of the weapon factory was also the result of a meticulously executed intelligence-led operation conducted by the troops, leading to the substantial recovery of cache of automatic weapons and related equipment that were being produced and distributed to other states, thereby fueling the crisis in Plateau and in Southern Kaduna,” Captain Oya James, spokesman for the OPSH, said while parading the suspects at the Command headquarters in Jos.
“The recovered items include 6 AK-47 rifles, 4 sub-machine guns, 11 AK rifle bodies, a pistol and 7 x AK 47 bridge blocks. Others include 4 x AK 47 rifle magazines, 210 recoil springs for AK 47 rifles, 7 rifle butts, 8 rifle muzzles, 9 piston assemblies as well as 5 cartridge housings.
“Also recovered were one drilling machine set, and a hand filling machine. In addition to the seizure of the weapons and weapon fabricating equipment, two individuals directly involved in the weapon proliferation and marketing process, Micheal Dung, 33 years, and Yusuf Pam, 43, were both apprehended,”
Captain James said.
He added that the OPSH would continue to work with other security agencies to ensure that those responsible for perpetuating criminal activities and their collaborators faced the full wrath of the law.
