Troops of Operation Safe Haven under HAKORIN DAMISA IV have discovered a weapons manufacturing factory in Pakachi Village, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
On its X account (formerly Twitter), the Nigerian Army noted the discovery followed the clearance operation by the troops on the mountainous terrain in Mangu, the recent area ravaged by an ethnoreligious crisis.
According to the Nigerian Army, the discovered weapon factory, strategically situated on high ground, was believed to be engaged in the illegal manufacturing of firearms and related equipment.
Among the items recovered during the operation were an array of illicit firearms including five AK 47 Rifles, four AK 47 Magazines, 11 Rounds of 7.62mm Ammunition, five Rounds of 9mm Ammunition, 21 Dane Guns, four Revolver Rifles,11 Pistols with 5 Magazines and 17 Gun Barrels.
Scores Feared Killed, Houses Burnt in Renewed Mangu Conflict
Other ammunition are six Rounds of 0.44 Inch Ammunition, a Carbide Cylinder with Accessories, three Saws, 12 Filing Machines, four Hammers and several other tools.
During the operation, a 25-year-old suspect, identified as Mr. Tapshak Plangji, was arrested.
However, the alleged owner of the facility, Mr. Nuhu Meshack, remains at large, but the command stressed that efforts are underway to arrest and bring him to justice.
Mr. Plangji, along with the recovered rifles and other items, is currently in the custody of the troops for further investigation.
The army headquarters stressed the need for collaborative efforts between security agencies and local communities in safeguarding the country from the threats posed by illicit arms production and trafficking.
WikkiTimes reports that several people were killed in January following attacks and counter-attacks between herders and farmers in the area, which later turned to a religious dimension also resulting in the burning of houses including religious centres displacement of hundreds of villagers.
Subsequently, Governor Caleb Mutfwang declared a 24-hour curfew after the surge of fatalities, which helped to tame the hostilities.
Hitherto, Mangu had been under a series of clashes since April 2023, and the notable one was on Christmas Eve where over 200 were reportedly killed in a midnight attack.
The security agents operating in the area made several arrests where different sorts of weapons were discovered suspected to be used during attacks.
