Security Forces Uncover Illegal Arms Manufacturing Facility in Nasarawa State
In a significant security breakthrough, troops from Operation Whirl Stroke have uncovered an illegal arms factory in Nasarawa State, leading to the arrest of one suspect. The discovery was made during routine patrols conducted by military personnel deployed in the region.
Details of the Operation and Discovery
Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer for the Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation, confirmed the operation in an official statement released on Monday, January 26, 2026. According to the military spokesperson, troops from Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke were conducting fighting and confidence-building patrols in Agwatashi, located within Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The troops, specifically deployed at Forward Operating Base Idahu, were engaged in routine patrols aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action when they discovered a concealed location suspected to be used for the illegal manufacturing of locally fabricated weapons. This operation represents part of the sustained aggressive operational tempo maintained by security forces in their ongoing fight against criminality in the region.
Arrest and Recovery of Evidence
Upon approaching the suspicious area, the troops encountered several individuals who immediately fled upon sighting the military patrol. Despite the attempted escape, security personnel managed to apprehend one suspect identified as Baba Ogar, a 26-year-old male from Arusu village in Kokona Local Government Area. The suspect was captured while attempting to evade arrest by hiding on top of a tree.
A thorough search of the site yielded substantial evidence, including:
- Six locally fabricated pistols
- Assorted tools and instruments believed to be used in the production of illegal weapons
- The sum of N40,500 in cash
- A mobile phone found in the possession of the arrested suspect
Investigation Findings and Security Implications
Preliminary investigations conducted by security forces indicate that the discovered location served as an illegal arms manufacturing site supplying criminal elements with firearms both within and beyond the immediate area. The arrested suspect is currently in custody while investigations have been intensified to track down and apprehend other fleeing accomplices connected to the criminal activity.
Major General Moses Gara, Force Commander of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke, commended the troops for their professionalism, vigilance, and sustained operational pressure that culminated in the discovery of the illegal arms production facility. The military leader charged the personnel to maintain their momentum and continue relying on intelligence-driven operations to dismantle criminal networks within the Joint Operations Area.
Call for Public Cooperation in Security Efforts
Major General Gara further emphasized the critical role of public cooperation in maintaining security, urging residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies. The Force Commander noted that actionable information remains vital to achieving lasting security that will ultimately engender economic growth and development in the region.
This operation represents another significant achievement in the ongoing efforts by Nigerian security forces to combat illegal arms proliferation and dismantle criminal networks operating within the country. The discovery of such manufacturing facilities highlights the sophisticated nature of criminal operations that security agencies must continually confront and disrupt through coordinated intelligence and operational activities.
