Troops Dismantle Illegal Arms Manufacturing Hub in Plateau; Two Fabricators Arrested with AK-47s and High-Powered Machinery in Langtang North Raid

In a precision operation aimed at choking the supply lines of criminal networks in the North-Central region, the Nigerian Army has successfully dismantled a clandestine arms factory in Plateau State. The raid, conducted by troops of Operation Enduring Peace on Wednesday evening, targeted a manufacturing hub in Gwandanu village within the Langtang North Local Government Area.

The military operation was initiated following intelligence reports identifying the village as a major center for the fabrication and distribution of illicit weapons. According to Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, the Media Information Officer for the operation, two suspects were caught red-handed as they worked on the production of sophisticated firearms. The rapid intervention by the troops prevented the further assembly of weapons that authorities believe were destined for use in regional banditry and communal conflicts.

The inventory of seized items reveals a highly organized production line. Beyond the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and a G3 rifle, the army uncovered an array of industrial machinery including welding and drilling units, generating sets, and specialized technical toolboxes. Security analysts suggest that the presence of such equipment indicates a shift toward more professionalized, local manufacturing of high-caliber weaponry by non-state actors.

This breakthrough comes amid a broader military push to stabilize the Plateau-Kaduna corridor. In a related development, troops deployed to the Gidan Waya axis in Kaduna State successfully repelled an armed attack on Forest Guards and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria. Following a pursuit into the Jaginde Forest, soldiers recovered additional AK-47 and AK-49 rifles and apprehended a suspect linked to the ambush.

As the 2027 election cycle approaches and security becomes a paramount concern for the electorate, the military has reiterated its commitment to eliminating illegal arms proliferation. The suspects arrested in Langtang North are currently in custody and are undergoing interrogation to help investigators map out the wider distribution network that has fueled insecurity in the region.