Troops uncover gun factory, arrest 2 suspects in Plateau

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) maintaining peace in Plateau and some parts of Bauchi and Kaduna states, yesterday said they uncovered an illegal gun factory in Vom, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The OPSH also said it arrested two suspects in connection with the factory. It said the factory, which engaged in manufacturing dangerous weapons, was busted based on intelligence, explaining that the discovery of the illegal gun factory was a significant step in the ongoing efforts to combat illicit arms proliferation and ensure the safety of the state and its environs.

Captain Oya James, the spokesperson of the troops, while parading the suspects at their headquarters in Jos said, “The discovery of the factory was as a result of a meticulously executed intelligence-led operation conducted by the troops, leading to the substantial recovery of cache of automatic weapons and related equipment that were being produced and distributed to other states, thereby fuelling crisis on the Plateau and Southern Kaduna.

“The recovered items include 6 AK-47 rifles, 4 sub-machine guns, 11 AK rifle bodies, a pistol and 7 x AK 47 bridge blocks.  Others include 4 x AK 47 rifle magazines, 210 recoil springs for AK 47 rifles, 7 rifle butts, 8 rifle muzzles, 9 piston assemblies as well as 5 cartridge housings.

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“Also recovered were one drilling machine set, and a hand filling machine. In addition to the seizure of the weapons and weapon fabricating equipment, two individuals directly involved in the weapon proliferation and marketing process, Micheal Dung, 33 years, and Yusuf Pam, 43, were both apprehended,” he added.

Captain James said the OPSH would continue to work with other security agencies to ensure that those responsible for perpetuating criminal activities and their collaborators faced the full wrath of the law.