Soldiers from Operation Enduring Peace arrested two suspects in Jos North and Jos South on Friday during a stop-and-search exercise. The operation led to the recovery of a fabricated AK-47 rifle, four rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a pump-action gun, and a cutlass. The security sweep covered key locations including Dadinkowa, Old Airport Junction, Tudun Wada, and the State Low-cost Housing Estate.
The move followed recent violence in Anguwan Rukuba and other areas that resulted in over 30 deaths. In a statement on Saturday, Operation Enduring Peace spokesperson Polycarp Oteh, an army captain, said the exercise aimed to prevent further escalation in Jos. He described the operation as part of efforts to restore normalcy and protect lives and property.
Troops also responded to gunfire at Yelwa Cattle Market in Shendam Local Government Area. Upon arrival, unidentified gunmen fled into nearby bushes. A follow-up search revealed two residents with gunshot wounds. The military confirmed it would sustain its presence until all threats are neutralised.
The arrest of two suspects with a fabricated AK-47 in Jos underscores how accessible illegal weapons remain despite military operations. Captain Polycarp Oteh's statement reveals that even makeshift firearms are now part of the security threat landscape. For Nigerians in Plateau, this means the danger of armed violence persists even during heightened military activity. The ease of weapon fabrication points to deeper gaps in arms control that patrols alone cannot fix.
