Troops under Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have dismantled a Kebbi illegal arms factory, recovering five locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and arresting two suspected gun manufacturers believed to be supplying weapons to terrorist groups operating in the North-West. The operation, conducted through intelligence-led planning, is part of the military’s continued campaign to disrupt arms trafficking networks and weaken the logistical support sustaining terrorist and criminal activities across the region.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, troops acted on credible intelligence that led them to a secluded compound allegedly being used as an illegal weapons production site. He explained that the location had been deliberately concealed to avoid detection by security agencies.
“Acting on credible intelligence, the troops conducted a carefully planned operation on a secluded compound deliberately concealed by the suspects to evade security detection.”
During a detailed search of the premises, troops recovered five locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and arrested two suspected arms manufacturers and suppliers believed to be linked to the illegal operation. The Kebbi illegal arms factory is believed to have served as a production point for weapons allegedly destined for terrorist groups operating across the North-West.
Lieutenant Colonel Danja said the raid was executed in collaboration with other security agencies, describing the operation as another milestone in the ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal support structures across the region. According to him, stronger inter-agency cooperation has continued to improve intelligence gathering and operational effectiveness against organised criminal networks.
“The operation, conducted in close collaboration with other security agencies, highlights the growing effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation in ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics and degrade criminal networks across the North-West.”
Military authorities confirmed that the two suspects are currently in custody undergoing preliminary interrogation. Investigators have also launched wider investigations aimed at identifying other members of the syndicate, including financiers, collaborators and additional arms suppliers connected to the network.
Lieutenant Colonel Danja stated: “Investigations have commenced to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate, uncover their financiers and collaborators, and dismantle the entire illegal arms supply network.” The recovery of the five locally fabricated assault rifles forms part of the evidence being examined as investigators work to trace the broader distribution network linked to the Kebbi illegal arms factory.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA commended troops and partner security agencies for the successful operation and urged residents across the North-West to continue supporting security efforts by providing timely and credible intelligence. The command said sustained cooperation between local communities and security agencies remains essential to disrupting terrorist logistics, combating illegal arms proliferation and improving security throughout the region.
