By Joy Odor Abuja
Troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE have dismantled a major illegal arms manufacturing factory in Plateau State, arresting a key weapon fabricator and seizing a deadly cache of firearms and ammunition.
The intelligence-driven raid, carried out on Wednesday, 17 September 2025, targeted a notorious blacksmith hub at Heipang District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. On arrival, troops swooped in on the facility, capturing one fabricator while others fled the scene.
A thorough search of the factory uncovered a disturbing arsenal, including:
12 assorted fabricated weapons
1 fabricated pistol
19 rounds of PKT ammunition
12 cartridges
10 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition
10 rounds of 9mm ammunition
4 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO)
1 round of QJC ammunition
1 smoke grenade
2 fragmental jackets
1 Motorola hand-held radio
1 jack knife
A bucket of assorted medicines
The arrested suspect and recovered items are now in custody for further investigation, while security forces intensify efforts to track down other fleeing members of the illegal weapons syndicate.
The Joint Task Force urged residents to continue providing credible intelligence to aid security agencies in choking off the supply of illicit arms and denying criminals the freedom to operate across the Joint Operations Area.
