Troops operating in Plateau State have uncovered illegal weapon-making factories in Jos South Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of five suspects during a joint security operation.
According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the suspects were apprehended on Wednesday in the Vom community during a raid conducted by the Quick Response Force (QRF) of Headquarters Operation Safe Haven.
Security sources cited by the publication said the operation followed weeks of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance targeting illegal arms production networks in the area.
The raid reportedly uncovered two separate clandestine arms fabrication sites where the suspects were allegedly producing weapons used in attacks and covert killings.
Items recovered during the operation included nine fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, four empty magazines, seven skeleton AK-47 rifles and 10 rifle butts.
Troops also seized 36 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammunition, four revolver engines, 14 recoiling springs, six hand drilling machines, nine filing machines, four welding machines and other fabrication tools.
Security sources said the suspects and all recovered items have been taken into custody for further investigation.
The publication reported that security agencies have intensified covert operations aimed at dismantling other illegal arms manufacturing networks and recovering illicit weapons circulating across Plateau State.
The discovery comes amid renewed violence in parts of Plateau, especially in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Mangu and Bokkos, where communities have faced repeated attacks, reprisals and armed clashes involving militias and criminal groups.
According to the report, the latest raid marks the third illegal arms factory uncovered in Plateau within the last three weeks.
Security assessments quoted by the publication also indicated that while attacks in Plateau are frequently blamed on suspected Fulani militias or bandits, armed groups within local communities, including ethnic Berom militias, have also been linked to reprisals, attacks on mining sites and illegal firearm possession.
