TROOPS DISMANTLE ILLEGAL ARMS FACTORY, RECOVER LOCALLY MADE RIFLES IN KEBBI

Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North-West Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY), have dismantled an illegal arms manufacturing syndicate and recovered locally fabricated weapons during an intelligence-led operation in Kebbi State.

The operation led to the arrest of two suspected arms manufacturers and suppliers believed to be involved in producing and supplying locally made firearms to terrorist groups operating in the state.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-West OPFY, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, and made available to journalists in Gusau, Zamfara State.

According to the statement, the troops acted on credible intelligence to raid a secluded compound allegedly used by the suspects to evade security surveillance. A thorough search of the premises led to the recovery of five locally fabricated AK-47 rifles.

The statement noted that the operation was carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, underscoring the effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in disrupting terrorist logistics and dismantling criminal networks across the North-West.

It described the raid as another milestone in Operation Fansan Yamma's sustained campaign against the proliferation of illegal firearms and efforts to deny terrorist groups access to weapons used in carrying out violent attacks.

The suspects are currently in military custody undergoing preliminary interrogation, while investigations have commenced to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate, as well as uncover its financiers and collaborators.

The statement added that the Theatre Command commended the professionalism and commitment of the troops and partner security agencies involved in the operation.

It also urged residents of the North-West to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains critical to ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal elements and improve security across the region.