Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), a military task force responsible for maintaining peace in Plateau, Bauchi, and Kaduna States, has made a significant discovery in the Jama’a Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State. Capt. James Oya, the Media Officer of the operation, shared this information through a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Jos.
According to Oya, during a week-long operation, the task force uncovered an illegal gun manufacturing facility in Kafanchan, Jama’a LGA of Kaduna State. Additionally, they apprehended Napoleon John, a suspected gunrunner, and seized various types of weapons and ammunition.
The suspect, Napoleon John, confessed to his involvement and led the troops to a hidden factory where arms of various calibers were being produced and sold by another individual named Monday Dunia. Dunia confessed to operating in this illicit trade for over five years, contributing to the unrest in Kaduna State and the neighboring Plateau State.
The search of the factory yielded the recovery of 22 different weapons, including seven pistols, two locally made AK-47 rifles, two military-grade AK-47 rifles, and nine revolvers. In addition to the weapons, the troops also found a submachine gun, rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, machine tools, and a gas cylinder.
In a subsequent operation conducted between Thursday night and early Friday morning, the troops raided another hideout in the Adua 1 community of Kafanchan. Here, they discovered two more AK-47 rifles, two revolver rifles, live rounds of 9mm and 7.62 ammunitions, six dangerous daggers, one hacker axe, and several empty cases of 7.62mm special rounds. Additionally, they recovered various items such as two mobile phones, one fragmental jacket, two police uniforms, one pair of military camouflage trousers, one ammunition magazine carrier, one pistol holster, and one military-grade camel pouch.
Further findings included one police combat helmet, two masks, four identity cards, gunpowder, shrapnel, charms, and amulets.
The Commander of the operation, Maj.-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, praised the troops for their achievements and encouraged them to remain vigilant. He issued a stern warning to those involved in criminal activities to abandon their unlawful pursuits and seek lawful means of livelihood. He expressed gratitude to the residents of the state for their cooperation with the military and other security agencies and called for continued support in maintaining peace in Plateau.
