Troops of the Nigerian Army under the 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP) have arrested a suspect and recovered a large cache of ammunition during a security operation in Plateau State.
The interception occurred on Friday at a checkpoint in Mairana area of Mangu Local Government Area, following intelligence reports, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure a peaceful yuletide period in the state.
Confirming the development in a statement issued in Jos on Saturday, the spokesman for the joint task force, Major Samson Zhakom, said the operation was carried out in collaboration with an intelligence agency’s tactical team.
“Acting on credible intelligence, troops established a snap checkpoint in Mairana, Mangu LGA,” Zhakom said.
“During the operation, an individual was intercepted while conveying two boxes of ammunition containing a total of 1,400 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.”
He disclosed that the suspect was immediately taken into custody, while the recovered ammunition has been secured pending the outcome of further investigations.
In a related operation, Zhakom said troops also raided a suspected criminal hideout at Gwender Village in Bokkos Local Government Area in the early hours of Friday.
“Although the suspects fled shortly before the arrival of our troops, a thorough search of the hideout led to the recovery of one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle with a magazine, one locally made pistol, as well as several rounds of ammunition of different calibres,” he said.
According to the task force spokesman, the operations were part of sustained, intelligence-driven efforts to rid the joint operations area of illicit arms and criminal networks ahead of the festive season.
He reassured residents of Plateau State of the military’s commitment to protecting lives and property, while calling on members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.
“Follow-up operations are ongoing to track down and arrest other members of the criminal syndicate linked to the recovered weapons and ammunition,” Zhakom added.
