Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North-West under Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have dismantled an illegal arms manufacturing factory in Kebbi State, recovering five locally made AK-47 rifles and arresting two suspected gun manufacturers believed to be supplying weapons to terrorist groups.
The operation, carried out following credible intelligence, targeted a hidden compound allegedly used for producing and storing firearms.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, said the raid was carefully planned to dismantle an illegal arms network operating in the state.
“Acting on credible intelligence, the troops conducted a carefully planned operation on a secluded compound deliberately concealed by the suspects to evade security detection,” Danja said.
He added that security operatives recovered five locally fabricated AK-47 rifles during a thorough search of the premises and took two suspected arms manufacturers and suppliers into custody.
According to him, the operation was carried out in collaboration with other security agencies, describing it as a significant breakthrough in efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics and dismantle organised criminal networks across the North-West.
“The operation, conducted in close collaboration with other security agencies, highlights the growing effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics and degrade criminal networks across the North-West,” he stated.
Danja disclosed that the suspects are currently in military custody undergoing preliminary interrogation, while investigations are underway to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate, including financiers and collaborators.
“Investigations have commenced to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate, uncover their financiers and collaborators, and dismantle the entire illegal arms supply network,” he added.
The Theatre Command commended the troops and partner security agencies for the successful operation and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to support ongoing efforts to tackle terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes in the region.
