The Nigerian Army troops under Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested four suspected arms fabricators and gunrunners and recovered locally fabricated firearms and ammunition in Plateau.
An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the suspects were arrested during coordinated covert operations conducted between Oct. 7 and Oct. 11 in Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of the state.
The report said the operation followed intelligence received on Oct. 4 regarding the activities of suspected illegal arms fabricators and gunrunners in the two local government areas.
It said the suspects were identified as Ayuba Sunday Abot, an alleged arms fabricator operating in Heipang, Barkin Ladi, and three suspected gunrunners, Tangkat Danjuma, Kopdi Appollos and Nyam Nzang.
“Items recovered during the operation included a fabricated revolver rifle, a fabricated pistol, a fabricated AK-47 barrel and an AK-47 magazine.
“Troops also recovered 42 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and some materials described in the operational report as metaphysical items.
“Preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects purchased the ammunition for N3,000 per round from a soldier whose identity had yet to be established,” it said.
The report said the suspects and recovered items had been taken to the OPEP headquarters for further investigation and follow-up operations.
It added that the operation formsled part of ongoing efforts to dismantle illegal arms networks and curb the circulation of illicit weapons in Plateau State. (NAN)
