Nigerian Army Busts Two Illegal Weapons Factories in Plateau, Arrests 5 Suspected Berom Militia Members

Troops from Operation Enduring Peace have uncovered two illegal arms manufacturing factories in Vom, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, and arrested five suspects believed to be members of the Berom militia involved in ongoing attacks in the region.

The operation, carried out on Wednesday by the Nigerian Army, led to the recovery of multiple weapons including AK-47 rifles and other locally fabricated arms. The five suspects were arrested at the scene and are currently in military custody.

Factories Linked to Ongoing Violence

According to security sources, the two factories were not random discoveries — they were part of an intelligence-led operation targeting the supply chain behind armed attacks in Plateau State. The Berom militia has been linked to several violent incidents in the state, particularly in Jos South and surrounding areas.

The Nigerian Army’s Operation Enduring Peace was established specifically to address the persistent security crisis in the North-Central region, where clashes between farming and herding communities have resulted in hundreds of deaths over the years. Finding active weapons manufacturing sites inside the state adds a significant dimension to the security picture — it means armed groups are not only acquiring weapons from outside but producing them locally.

Plateau’s Ongoing Security Challenge

Plateau State has seen multiple attacks in recent weeks. A gunmen attack on a mass funeral in Barkin Ladi last week killed seven people including an entire family. The discovery of in-state weapons production suggests that addressing the crisis requires more than patrol operations — it demands sustained intelligence and supply-chain disruption.

The five arrested suspects are being processed for prosecution. The Army has not released their identities.

Sources: Nairametrics, Legit.ng, Zagazola Makama