Troops Uncover Illegal Arms Factory, Arrest Suspect In Nasarawa

Eric Patrick

Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have uncovered an illegal arms manufacturing site in Agwatashi, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, arresting one suspect and recovering locally fabricated pistols, cash and tools used for weapons production.

The discovery was made during a routine patrol by troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Idadu.

The patrol was aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action within the area when soldiers stumbled on a concealed location suspected to be used for the production of illegal firearms.

This was contained in a statement by the Acting Media Information Officer, HQ JTF Operation Whirl Stroke, Lt. Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, on Monday night.

According to the statement, several individuals fled the scene on sighting the troops. One suspect, identified as Baba Ogar, a 26-year-old male from Arusu village in Kokona Local Government Area, was apprehended while attempting to evade arrest by hiding on top of a tree.

A search of the site led to the recovery of six locally fabricated pistols, assorted tools and instruments believed to be used for arms production, the sum of ₦40,500, and a mobile phone found in the suspect’s possession.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the location served as an illegal arms factory supplying firearms to criminal elements within and outside the area.

The suspect is currently in custody, while efforts have been intensified to track down other accomplices who escaped during the operation.

The Force Commander of Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism, vigilance and sustained operational pressure, which he said led to the successful discovery of the illegal facility.

He urged the troops to maintain the momentum and continue to rely on intelligence-driven operations to dismantle criminal networks across the Joint Operations Area.

Major General Gara also called on residents to support security efforts by providing timely and credible information, stressing that public cooperation remains critical to achieving lasting security and fostering economic growth in the region.