By Milcah Tanimu
Troops from Operation Safe Heaven (OPSH) have successfully dismantled an illicit gun manufacturing facility located in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In an official statement released on Friday through its verified communication channels, the Nigerian Army confirmed the operation. Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the commander of OPSH, initiated the mission as part of a determined effort to combat crime and its instigators.
The operation unfolded from Thursday night into Friday morning, resulting in the confiscation of a significant cache of hazardous weaponry.
The discovery followed a week-long intelligence gathering operation that culminated in the arrest of a wanted gunrunner named Napoleon John. John, who admitted to his involvement, cooperated with the troops by leading them to a hidden factory. At this clandestine location, another individual, Monday Dunia, confessed to operating an arms trade business for over five years, which had been contributing to the instability in Kaduna and neighboring Plateau State.
The statement detailed the items retrieved during the search of the facility, which included 22 different weapons. Among the seized weaponry were 7 pistols, 2 locally manufactured AK-47 rifles, 2 military-grade AK-47 rifles, and 9 revolvers. Additionally, a submachine gun, 7.62mm special ammunition rounds, machine tools, and a gas cylinder were found.
The recovered arsenal also included 2 AK-47 rifles, 2 revolver rifles, live rounds of 9mm and 7.62mm ammunition, 6 dangerous daggers, a hacker axe, numerous empty 7.62mm special round casings, 2 mobile phones, a fragmental jacket, 2 police uniforms, a military camouflage trousers, an ammunition magazine carrier, a pistol holster, a military-grade camel pouch, a police combat helmet, 2 masks, 4 identity cards, gunpowder, shrapnel, charms, amulets, as well as various machine tools and equipment.
This successful operation is a significant step in the ongoing efforts to curb illegal arms production and trafficking in the region, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of security and stability in Kaduna State and its neighboring areas.
