By Fatima Muhammad —
The troops of Operations Safe Haven, OPSH, says it has busted a local arms factory, recovering AK-47 rifles and dozens of other weapons in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
In a statement on Wednesday, the OPSH Information officer, Capt. Oya James, said troops of Operation Hakorin Damisa IV, busted the factory.
According to him, items recovered included 5 AK-47 rifles, 4 AK-47 magazines,11 Rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 5 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 21 dane guns, 4 revolver rifles, 11 pistols with 5 magazines, 17 gun barrels, 6 rounds of 0.44 Inch ammunition, 6 A carbide cylinder with accessories and 3 saws.
Others are: 12 filing machines, 4 hammers, 6 manual drilling machines, 2 electrically operated filing machines, 2 G-clamps, one spraying machine, one tiger generator and assorted drilling irons.
He said: “In it’s determination to clear troubled regions of Plateau State from criminal activities, troops of Operation Safe Haven under Hakorin Damisa IV during clearance operations on rugged mountainous terrain discovered an isolated structure which turned out to be a weapons fabrication factory situated on a high ground in Pakachi Village, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.”
Mr James added that during the operation, a significant number of illicit firearms and related equipment were recovered and one suspect apprehended.
“The operation resulted in the arrest of Mr. Tapshak Plangji, a 25-year-old male, suspected to be involved in the illegal activities at the factory.
“The alleged owner of the facility, Mr. Nuhu Meshack, is currently at large and efforts are underway to bring him to justice,” Mr James stressed.
Mr James said the suspect, Mr Plangji, along with the recovered rifles and other items, are in the custody of the troops for further investigation.
