Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Troops of the Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, currently driving the momentum of Operation PEACE SHIELD, have recorded another operational success after raiding the hideout of a suspected gunrunner in Plateau State. The operation, conducted on 3 December 2025 by Sector 2 (Sub-Sector 3) personnel deployed at Gashish, followed actionable intelligence indicating illicit arms-supply activities in Ranbiri Village, Kafi Abu, Barkin Ladi LGA.
Although the suspect managed to escape moments before the troops arrived, a detailed search of the compound uncovered an AK-47 rifle, an AK-47 magazine, and communication equipment believed to be used in coordinating illegal weapons movement. The seized items are now in military custody, with security operatives intensifying efforts to track down the fleeing suspect.
This latest action aligns with the broader operational push to degrade the arms-supply networks enabling attacks across Plateau and neighbouring states. In recent weeks, similar intelligence-driven raids have disrupted bandit logistics routes, intercepted firearm shipments concealed in vehicles, and exposed covert supply cells operating in rural communities. Security analysts note that breaking these networks is critical to weakening the capacity of non-state actors who rely heavily on steady weapons inflow.
Residents across Barkin Ladi and Riyom have repeatedly voiced concerns about the circulation of sophisticated arms in the hands of criminal groups, which has fueled recurring violence, ambushes, and targeted attacks on vulnerable settlements. With yesterday’s operation, troops reaffirmed their determination to keep pressure on those facilitating the flow of arms into conflict zones, stressing that disabling the supply chain is as important as neutralizing armed groups on the field.
From a Stone Reporters perspective, the Plateau raid mirrors a broader trend observed across the North-Central region over the past month, where coordinated security actions have uncovered more covert armouries, illegal ammunition factories, and weapons caches hidden in farmlands and uncompleted buildings. These discoveries continue to highlight how deeply entrenched the arms economy has become, and how crucial intelligence gathering remains in dismantling it.
A wider observation suggests that while troop deployments have increased across volatile corridors, long-term gains will depend on sustained community collaboration, enhanced surveillance technology, and strengthened border controls to prevent weapons from flowing in from neighbouring countries. Effective disruption of these supply chains could significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks, offering residents much-needed relief from persistent insecurity.
As Operation ENDURING PEACE advances, the military maintains that its troops will continue using intelligence-led strategies to protect civilians and weaken criminal networks within the joint operations area. The latest Plateau operation, though without an arrest, is seen as a meaningful step toward cutting off the operational lifelines of violent groups and restoring stability to one of the region’s most troubled corridors.
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