Troops Uncover Illegal Weapon Factory in Jos, Arrest Two

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Special military taskforce in Jos, Operation Safe Haven, has said its troops have uncovered an illegal weapon manufacturing factory in Vom, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

This was disclosed in a statement posted on the official X handle of the Nigerian Army yesterday.

According to the statement, the troops acted on actionable intelligence, adding that the operation marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts of Operation Safe Haven to combat illicit arms proliferation and ensure safety and security.

“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 a cache of automatic weapons and related equipment that were being produced and distributed to other states, thereby fuelling the crisis in Plateau and in Southern Kaduna.

“The recovered items include six AK-47 rifles, four sub-machine guns, 11 AK rifle bodies, a pistol, and seven AK-47 bridge blocks.

“Others include four AK 47 rifle magazines, 210 recoil springs for AK 47 rifles, seven rifle butts, eight rifle muzzles, nine piston assemblies, as well as five cartridge housings. Also recovered were one drilling machine set and a hand-filling machine,” the statement disclosed.

According to the Army, two persons were arrested; Michael Dung, 33, and Yusuf Pam, 43 for their direct involvement in the weapon proliferation and marketing process.

The statement added that the arrests are a clear signal that illegal arms production and trafficking would not be tolerated and that anybody involved would be held accountable for their actions.

 It reassured that Operation Safe Haven was working in close coordination with other law enforcement agencies to ensure that elements responsible for perpetuating criminal activities and their collaborators do not escape the arms of the law.