Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested a suspected gunrunner and recovered three locally fabricated rifles during a patrol operation in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Intelligence sources said the arrest was made at about 10:00 a.m. on June 26, 2026, by troops of Sector 4, Sub-Sector 41, Gashish, after they intercepted a motorcycle carrying two persons from Kuba in Bokkos Local Government Area to Maijanki Village in Barkin Ladi.
According to the sources, the troops became suspicious of the motorcycle’s movement and attempted to stop it for a search.
Upon sighting the troops, the passenger allegedly threw away a bag he was carrying and fled into nearby bushes, while the rider was apprehended after a brief pursuit.
The arrested rider was identified as 21-year-old Alpha Nanfwang, a resident of Panyam in Mangu Local Government Area.
A search of the abandoned bag led to the recovery of three locally fabricated rifles.
During preliminary interrogation, Nanfwang reportedly told investigators that the bag belonged to the fleeing passenger, whom he had picked up from Kuba.
The suspect and the recovered firearms are currently in military custody, while investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the fleeing passenger and determine the circumstances surrounding the movement of the weapons.
Security sources said troops have intensified patrols and surveillance across the area to curb the movement of illegal arms and deny criminal elements freedom of operation in Plateau State.
