Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE dismantled a clandestine arms manufacturing hub in Plateau State and intercepted armed assailants in neighbouring Kaduna State.
The primary breakthrough occurred at approximately 5:00 pm on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, when tactical units raided a hidden workshop in Gwandanu Village, located within the Langtang North Local Government Area. Two suspects were apprehended mid-production while fabricating sophisticated firearms.
The raid yielded a significant cache of hardware, including two AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, and an array of industrial machinery. Military officials confirmed the recovery of two generating sets, a welding machine, a drilling machine, a hand filler, and a specialised technical toolbox used to facilitate the illegal trade.
“These operations reflect the ongoing commitment of troops to restore absolute peace and stability by aggressively targeting the sources of communal violence and other criminal activities,” stated Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force.
Parallel to the Plateau raid, troops stationed at Gidan Waya in the Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State responded to an emergency call following an armed attack on members of the Forest Guards and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria. Joining forces with the Forest Guards, troops pursued the gunmen toward the Jaginde Forest.
Upon being cornered near Ungwar Maruwa, the criminals abandoned their motorcycle and fled into the dense brush. Following a pursuit, one suspect was intercepted and taken into custody. A subsequent search of the group’s hideout led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, an AK-49 rifle, a motorcycle, and a sleeping mat.
“Operation ENDURING PEACE remains vigilant,” Captain Oteh added, emphasising the importance of community involvement in the mission. “We urge members of the public to kindly continue providing timely information that assists in maintaining the safety and security of the Joint Operations Area.”
The arrested suspects are currently being interrogated to map out their distribution networks and identify potential links to larger criminal syndicates.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has intensified mop-up operations across the region to locate any remaining locally fabricated weapons and apprehend the remaining fugitives.
