Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have reportedly uncovered and dismantled clandestine arms production factories allegedly linked to suspected Berom militia members in Plateau State, leading to the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of several locally fabricated weapons and weapon-manufacturing equipment.
The operation, carried out by the Quick Response Force (QRF) of Headquarters Operation Enduring Peace, reportedly took place in the Vom area of Jos South Local Government Area following weeks of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance targeting illegal arms networks operating within the state.
Security analyst and counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, disclosed details of the operation, revealing that the raid was based on actionable intelligence linking the suspects to the illegal production and circulation of firearms allegedly used in violent attacks and reprisals across Plateau communities.
According to security sources, troops stormed two separate locations suspected to be functioning as illegal weapon manufacturing workshops where some of the suspects were allegedly caught in the process of fabricating rifles and assembling weapon components.
The operation reportedly resulted in the recovery of a significant cache of fabricated weapons and manufacturing tools believed to have been used in the production of locally made firearms.
Among the recovered items were nine fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol, four empty magazines, and seven incomplete AK-47 rifle frames.
Security operatives also recovered 10 rifle butts, 36 empty shells of 7.62mm special ammunition, four revolver engines, 14 recoiling springs, six hand drilling machines, nine filing machines, and four welding machines allegedly used in the illegal production process.
One of the security sources familiar with the operation explained that the raid formed part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to dismantle networks involved in the proliferation of illegal arms across Plateau State.
“The operation followed extensive intelligence gathering and covert surveillance aimed at exposing illegal arms manufacturing networks operating within some communities in Plateau State,” the source said.
According to the source, troops had monitored the activities of the suspects for weeks before launching the coordinated raid.
The suspects arrested during the operation are reportedly being detained at the Headquarters of Operation Enduring Peace, where they are currently undergoing interrogation as investigators attempt to uncover the full scope of the illegal arms network.
Security officials said investigations are ongoing to determine possible links between the suspects and violent attacks recorded in different parts of Plateau State in recent months.
Sources further disclosed that additional covert operations have already been launched to identify other illegal arms manufacturers and recover more illicit firearms believed to be in circulation across the state.
The latest discovery comes amid persistent security challenges in Plateau State, particularly in local government areas such as Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Mangu, and Bokkos, where recurring attacks, reprisals, and communal violence have continued to claim lives and displace residents.
Communities in these areas have witnessed repeated clashes involving armed groups, bandits, and suspected militias, leading to growing concerns over the widespread availability of illegal weapons.
Security sources reportedly described the latest raid as the third illegal arms factory uncovered within the last three weeks.
“This is the third illegal arms production facility discovered in less than one month,” one of the sources disclosed.
The discovery is expected to deepen concerns over the proliferation of locally fabricated firearms and the activities of armed groups operating within Plateau communities.
Although many violent attacks in Plateau have often been attributed to suspected Fulani militias and armed bandits, security assessments have also reportedly linked some local militias and ethnic armed groups to reprisal attacks, illegal possession of firearms, and violent confrontations over land, grazing routes, and mining activities.
According to security sources, intelligence reports have repeatedly identified some militia elements within Berom communities in connection with the circulation of illicit arms and violent clashes in parts of the state.
The sources noted that the presence of multiple armed groups operating within Plateau has continued to complicate security operations and worsen the already fragile security situation across affected communities.
Analysts believe that the increasing use of locally fabricated weapons by non-state actors poses a major threat to peace and stability in the region.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that illegal arms manufacturing has become a growing underground enterprise in parts of Nigeria, driven by insecurity, communal conflicts, banditry, and the rising demand for firearms by criminal groups.
The discovery of weapon-making factories within Plateau communities has also raised fresh questions about how deeply entrenched illegal arms networks may have become in the state.
Residents in some affected communities have continued to express fears over recurring attacks and retaliatory violence, calling on security agencies to intensify efforts toward recovering illegal weapons and dismantling armed groups fueling the crisis.
In recent weeks, troops of Operation Enduring Peace have reportedly intensified intelligence-led operations, patrols, and raids aimed at restoring order and disrupting armed networks operating within Plateau State.
Security officials say the operations are focused on reducing the circulation of illegal firearms, preventing further attacks, and restoring confidence among residents living in conflict-prone communities.
Authorities are expected to continue investigations into the latest discovery while efforts to track down other suspected members of the network remain ongoing.
