Troops of the 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP) have uncovered an illegal arms manufacturing factory in Plateau State, arresting a weapon fabricator and recovering a cache of arms and ammunition.
According to a statement issued on Thursday September 18, 2025, by the Media Information Officer of JTF OPEP, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, the raid was carried out on September 17 at Heipang District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) following credible intelligence.
The statement revealed that while troops arrested one suspect at the factory, other accomplices fled before security forces arrived.
The full statement reads: “In continuation of efforts to mop up illicit arms and ammunition in the Joint Operations Area (JOA), troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE raided an illegal arms manufacturing factory at Heipang District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State on 17 September 2025. During the intelligence based operation, troops arrested a weapon fabricator while others fled the factory before troops arrived the area.
“A thorough search of the illegal factory led to the recovery of the following items: Twelve assorted fabricated weapons, One fabricated pistol, 19 rounds of PKT ammunition, 12 cartridges, 10 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition, 10 rounds of 9 mm ammunition, four rounds of 7.62 mm (NATO), one round of QJC ammunition, one smoke grenade, two fragmental jackets, one Motorola Hand Held Radio, one Jack knife and one bucket containing different medicines.
“The arrested suspect and recovered items are in custody for further action. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing members of the illegal weapon manufacturing syndicate.
“3 Division/JTF OPEP urged the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies to support the ongoing efforts to deny the criminal elements freedom of action, eradicate illicit arms and ammunition within the JOA.”
