Details have emerged on how troops of 3 Division Nigerian Army/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP) neutralised a notorious gunrunner and recovered a cache of weapons in Plateau State.
According to a statement by Spokesperson of JTF OPEP, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, the gunrunner has been on the wanted list of the security forces for a long as he was “a key figure in supplying arms, ammunition, and logistics to a banditry syndicate.”
He was neutralised after a gun duel with troops of 3 Division/JTF OPEP in their hideout when he tried to flee.
The full statement by Major Zhakom said: “In a decisive operation aimed at curbing the activities of gunrunners and banditry networks in the Joint Operations Area, troops of 3 Division/ Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE (JTF OPEP) have neutralised a notorious gunrunner and recovered a cache of weapons in Plateau State. The miscreant, a key figure in supplying arms, ammunition, and logistics to a banditry syndicate, had been a long sought target of security agencies.
“Acting on credible intelligence, troops tracked the gunrunner to his hideout, where he was apprehended on 4 September 2025, while receiving treatment for prior gunshot wounds. Following his arrest, the miscreant confessed to his role as a logistics supplier and agreed to lead troops to recover his arms cache.
“On 6 September 2025, as troops approached the hideout, they encountered members of the gunrunner’s gang, sparking a fierce firefight. During the gun battle, the miscreant attempted to escape amidst the chaos, but troops swiftly responded, neutralising him in the process. The superior firepower of the troops forced the remaining criminals to flee in disarray, sustaining gunshot wounds.
“Following the engagement, troops combed the area and exploited the hideout, resulting in the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and two AK-47 magazines, which are currently in custody. Follow-up operations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the criminal syndicate.
“Troops of 3 Division/JTF OPEP will continue to dominate its Joint Operations Area to deny the terrorists freedom of actions while maintaining aggressive posture against the none-state actors.”