Soldiers bust illegal arms factory, recover five AK-47 rifles in Kebbi

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Troops of Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have dismantled an illegal arms factory in Kebbi State, recovering five locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and arresting two suspected gun makers allegedly supplying weapons to terrorist groups.

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The operation, which the military said was based on credible intelligence, targeted a secluded compound allegedly used by the suspects to manufacture and stockpile firearms.

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The military said the raid formed part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics and curb the proliferation of illicit weapons across the North-West.

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Confirming the operation in a statement on Thursday, the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lt. Col. Aliyu Danja, said the troops acted on credible intelligence to dismantle the illegal arms network.

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“Acting on credible intelligence, the troops conducted a carefully planned operation on a secluded compound deliberately concealed by the suspects to evade security detection.

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“During a thorough search of the premises, troops recovered five locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and arrested two suspected arms manufacturers and suppliers,” the statement read.

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He said the operation was conducted in collaboration with other security agencies, describing it as another breakthrough in efforts to dismantle terrorist logistics and organised criminal networks in the region.

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“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.

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According to Danja, the suspects are in military custody undergoing preliminary interrogation, while investigations have commenced to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate, including its financiers and collaborators.

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“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,” Danja added.

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The Theatre Command commended the troops and partner security agencies for the successful operation and urged residents of the North-West to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence.

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“Public cooperation remains vital to sustaining ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal elements and enhance security across the region,” the statement said.

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Operation FANSAN YAMMA has intensified operations against banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes across the North-West in recent months, with security forces targeting armed groups, kidnappers and illegal weapons suppliers in an effort to curb insecurity in the region.

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