Soldiers Bust Hidden Gun Factory in Nasarawa as Suspect Tries to Hide on a Tree Top

A local arms manufacturer in Nasarawa State learned the hard way that “climbing a tree” is no match for the Nigerian Army’s surveillance. In a major win for regional security, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have shut down a secret factory dedicated to churning out illegal firearms in Doma Local Government Area.

The drama unfolded in the Agwatashi area when soldiers on routine patrol stumbled upon a concealed workshop. As the troops moved in, several individuals scattered into the bush to avoid capture. However, one 26-year-old suspect, identified as Baba Ogar, decided on a unique escape plan: he climbed a tree to hide. His “bird’s-eye view” didn’t last long, as soldiers spotted him among the branches and brought him down for questioning.

Inside the factory, the military recovered a cache of six locally fabricated pistols along with an assortment of industrial tools used to mold and assemble weapons. They also found ₦40,500 in cash, believed to be proceeds from the illegal trade.

According to Lt. Ahmad Zubairu, the spokesperson for the operation, the site wasn’t just a small workshop, it was a strategic supply point. Criminals from within Nasarawa and beyond reportedly relied on this hidden facility to stock up on the “black market” guns used for robberies and kidnappings.

The Force Commander, Major General Moses Gara, hailed the breakthrough as a testament to the military’s “aggressive tempo” in the North Central region. He noted that while Ogar is currently in custody, intelligence teams are already hunting for the other accomplices who managed to flee.

For residents of Doma, the discovery brings a sigh of relief. With one less “gun shop” available to bandits, the hope is that the recent wave of local insecurity will finally begin to recede.