Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
Abuja, Nigeria — Security forces assigned to Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have uncovered and dismantled an illegal arms manufacturing facility in Agwatashi, a community in the Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, military authorities announced on Monday, 26 January 2026. The discovery and subsequent recovery of six locally fabricated guns underscore ongoing efforts by the Nigerian military to disrupt illicit weapons production and criminal networks operating in central Nigeria.
In a statement issued by Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu, Acting Media Information Officer at Headquarters JTF OPWS in Makurdi, troops stationed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Idadu stumbled upon the concealed location during routine patrols aimed at denying criminals safe havens and logistical bases within the Joint Operations Area. On sighting the approaching soldiers, several individuals fled the scene, leaving behind evidence of clandestine activities.
Security personnel apprehended one suspect at the site, identified as 26-year-old Baba Ogar, a resident of Arusu Village in Kokona Local Government Area. Ogar was reportedly found attempting to evade capture by hiding in a tree and was taken into custody without reported incident.
A detailed search of the facility revealed six locally fabricated pistols and assorted tools and instruments believed to have been used in the production of illegal weapons. Investigators also recovered ₦40,500 in cash and a mobile phone in the suspect’s possession. Preliminary assessments by military officials suggest that the site functioned as a hub for producing crude firearms intended for distribution to criminal elements within and beyond Nasarawa State.
The discovery of an illegal arms factory in the region raises concerns about the capacity of criminal networks to manufacture and supply weapons that fuel insecurity, including armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, and other forms of violent crime affecting central Nigeria. Weapons produced in such facilities can circulate widely, complicating efforts by security forces to suppress crime and protect civilians.
Major General Moses Gara, Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, commended the troops for their professionalism, vigilance and sustained operational effort, highlighting that intelligence-driven patrols were instrumental in uncovering the facility. In his remarks, the commander urged personnel to maintain operational momentum and continue leveraging reliable information to dismantle criminal syndicates operating across multiple states.
Operation Whirl Stroke, established to combat banditry, armed robbery and other security threats in parts of central Nigeria, has increasingly focused on targeting not only the perpetrators of criminal acts but also the infrastructure and supply chains that enable such violence. In recent months, troops have intensified patrols and coordinated with local communities to identify and disrupt illegal activities, including arms trafficking and manufacturing.
The arrest of Ogar and the seizure of weapons and production materials mark a tactical success for security forces, yet the broader challenge of curbing illegal arms proliferation persists. Analysts note that addressing the root causes of illicit weapon production — such as high demand from criminal groups, weak regulatory oversight, and porous rural environments — will require sustained and integrated approaches that combine enforcement, community engagement, and interagency collaboration.
Illegal arms manufacturing remains a significant security concern in Nigeria. In recent years, security operations across several states have uncovered similar facilities and caches of crude firearms, reflecting the adaptability of criminal elements and the complex dynamics of internal insecurity. Locally fabricated weapons are often cheaper and easier to conceal than standard military or law enforcement arms, making them attractive to loosely organised criminal groups.
The suspect is currently in military custody as investigations continue to identify and apprehend others believed to have fled the scene. Officials have indicated that follow-up operations will target suspected collaborators and supply routes, aiming to sever the networks facilitating illegal weapons production.
Local authorities and community leaders in Nasarawa have expressed hope that the operation will send a clear message to criminal elements exploiting rural areas as bases for weapon fabrication and distribution. Residents in Doma and neighbouring districts have long raised concerns about the presence of armed groups and the proliferation of small arms, which they say have contributed to rising incidents of theft, kidnapping and violent clashes.
Security experts emphasise the need for complementary measures that address the supply and demand sides of the illicit arms problem. Enhancing law enforcement capacity, tightening controls over materials used in weapons production, and fostering community-based intelligence mechanisms are among strategies recommended to reduce the spread of illegal firearms. Additionally, efforts to improve socio-economic conditions in rural areas may undercut some of the incentives that drive individuals to participate in or facilitate illegal arms manufacturing.
The operation in Nasarawa represents the latest in a series of military initiatives to curb insecurity across central Nigeria. As authorities pursue the dismantling of illegal arms factories and the prosecution of suspects, the broader objective remains to ensure safer environments for communities plagued by decades of violence. Continued vigilance by military and security agencies, supported by public cooperation, will be critical in sustaining gains and preventing the resurgence of criminal networks that profit from the circulation of illicit weapons.
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