Troops Uncover Illegal Arms Factory in Nasarawa, Arrest Local Fabricator

MAKURDI – Troops of Sector 2, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have uncovered an illegal arms manufacturing facility in the Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and arrested one suspect.

Acting Media Information Officer of OPWS, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, confirmed the operation in a statement on Monday, attributing the discovery to the sustained operational tempo of troops in the fight against criminality.

Discovery and Arrest

During a routine patrol in the Idadu area aimed at curtailing criminal activities, troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base stumbled upon a concealed site suspected to be used for fabricating weapons. As they approached, several individuals fled the scene.

One suspect, identified as 26-year-old Baba Ogar from Arusu village in Kokona LGA, was apprehended while attempting to hide in a tree.

A search of the location yielded six locally fabricated pistols, assorted tools and instruments used in weapon production, the sum of ₦40,500, and a mobile phone found in the suspect's possession.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the site served as an arms production hub supplying criminal elements within and beyond the region. The suspect is in custody, and efforts are underway to track down his fleeing accomplices.

Command Applauds Troops

The Force Commander of OPWS, Major-General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their vigilance and professionalism. He urged them to maintain momentum and continue leveraging intelligence-driven operations to dismantle criminal networks in the joint operations area.

Major-General Gara also emphasized the importance of public cooperation, calling on residents to provide timely and credible information to bolster security efforts.

Related Development: Human Trafficking Rescue

In a separate incident previously reported, the Nasarawa State Police Command on January 18 rescued 17 suspected victims of human trafficking, aged between 10 and 19 years.

The individuals were intercepted in a vehicle at Sharp Corner, Karu LGA, while en route from Shendam in Plateau State to Kayama in Kwara State. They alleged they were being transported by a handler who promised them farming jobs.

The discoveries underscore ongoing security operations in North-Central Nigeria aimed at disrupting networks involved in arms proliferation and human trafficking.