EXCLUSIVE: Army Troops Bust Illegal Arms Factory in Plateau, Arrest Five Suspected Berom Militia Members Aiding Attacks
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have uncovered illegal arms manufacturing sites in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State and arrested five suspected Berom militia members linked to the fabrication of weapons used in attacks across the state.
Security sources disclosed that the suspects were arrested on Wednesday during a coordinated raid operation conducted by the Quick Response Force (QRF) of Headquarters OPEP at Vom community following weeks of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance.
According to the sources, the operation targeted two separate illegal arms manufacturing sites where the suspects were allegedly caught in the act of fabricating weapons for attacks and silent killings.
Items recovered during the raid included nine fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, four empty magazines, seven skeleton AK-47 rifles and 10 rifle butts.
Troops also recovered 36 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammunition, four revolver engines, 14 recoiling springs, six hand drilling machines, nine filing machines, four welding machines and other tools used for weapon fabrication.
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“The operation followed extensive human intelligence activities aimed at identifying arms proliferation networks and illegal weapon manufacturing cells operating within Plateau communities,” a security source said.
The suspects and recovered weapons have been taken into custody at Headquarters OPEP for further investigation.
Security sources said ongoing covert operations were being intensified to track other illegal arms manufacturers and recover weapons proliferated across Plateau State.
The latest discovery comes amid renewed attacks and reprisals in parts of Plateau, particularly in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas, where communities have witnessed recurring violence involving armed groups, militias and criminal elements.
“This one the third armed factory that have been discovered within three weeks,”said the sources.
Security assessments indicate that while attacks in Plateau are often attributed solely to suspected Fulani militias or bandits, several armed groups within local communities, including ethnic Berom militias, have also been implicated in series of attacks, reprisals, attack on mining sites, illegal possession of firearms and violent attacks.
The security sources noted that some militia elements within the Berom communities had been linked to attacks, counter-attacks and the circulation of illicit weapons, further complicating the security situation in the state.
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have in recent weeks intensified raids, patrols and intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling armed networks and restoring stability across Plateau communities.