Troops disrupt gunrunning syndicate, recover arms, ammunition in Plateau

Troops of 3 Division/Joint Task Force, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), have disrupted a suspected gunrunning syndicate in Plateau State.

In a statement issued by Samson Zhakom, spokesperson of OPEP, and made available to journalists on Wednesday in Jos, he said the intelligence-led operation was conducted in the early hours of Wednesday at Vom, Jos South Local Government Area.

“The operation was carried out to deny criminal elements freedom of action. It was also aimed at ensuring a peaceful yuletide within the Joint Operations Area,” he said.

Zhakom added that during the raid, troops arrested three suspected gunrunners linked to the syndicate.

He disclosed that two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

“Other items recovered included two knives and three mobile phones. While withdrawing from the area, troops encountered resistance from women and youths who blocked the road. One officer sustained injuries, while military vehicles were damaged in the encounter. The suspects and recovered items are currently in custody as investigations continue.”

Nathaniel Gbaoron

Nathaniel E. Gbaoron is the Plateau State correspondent for BusinessDay and a seasoned journalist with a decade of experience covering sub-national affairs across Taraba, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and other states. He holds both National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from Fidel Polytechnic, Gboko. Over the years, he has participated in numerous media trainings and workshops spanning various areas of reporting, strengthening his expertise in economic and political reporting, community-level governance, development stories, and conflict-sensitive journalism. He is a member of Correspondent Chapel in Plateau state, a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), he is also a Rotarian and a member of Plateau Club 1921.