Troops of the 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP) have uncovered a massive cache of arms and ammunition during a precision raid on a bandits’ hideout in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The operation, which took place late on Sunday, October 19, 2025, followed credible intelligence reports about the stockpiling of weapons in Rawaya Village, near Kazok community.
How the Operation Unfolded
According to the JTF OPEP Media Information Officer, Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, the troops moved swiftly after receiving intelligence on suspicious movements linked to armed bandits in the area.
He said the notorious suspect fled the scene just minutes before the troops arrived, but a thorough search of the hideout led to a major discovery of sophisticated weapons and ammunition.
“Our troops acted on actionable intelligence and stormed a suspected hideout in Rawaya Village. Although the suspect escaped, the team recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition. The operation is part of our ongoing effort to ensure lasting peace and security across the Joint Operations Area,” Major Zhakom said.
Weapons and Items Recovered
During the raid, troops recovered the following items:
- Two AK-47 rifles
- One G3 rifle
- One revolver pistol
- Four AK-47 magazines
- Three G3 magazines
- 1,198 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition
- Four rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition
- Three mobile phones and other sundry items
All recovered weapons and items have been moved to the military base for further investigation.
Search for the Fleeing Suspect Continues
Zhakom confirmed that the suspect, whose identity is being withheld for security reasons, escaped moments before the troops’ arrival. He added that the search for the fugitive and his collaborators is ongoing, with intelligence sources tracking potential escape routes.
“We are on the trail of the fleeing suspect. Our troops remain committed to dismantling criminal networks, intercepting arms flows, and ensuring the safety of all law-abiding citizens in Plateau and neighboring states,” the statement added.
Operation Enduring Peace Intensifies
The latest recovery marks another major breakthrough in the ongoing Operation Enduring Peace, a military campaign aimed at flushing out bandits, kidnappers, and armed militias in Plateau and surrounding areas of the North Central region.
Security analysts have hailed the operation as a strong message to criminal elements still hiding in remote villages. Many residents also commended the troops for their timely intervention and renewed efforts to secure volatile communities.
Why It Matters
Plateau State has witnessed recurrent attacks and communal clashes over the years, often fueled by the proliferation of illegal arms. The latest raid demonstrates the military’s growing intelligence capability and reinforces the government’s commitment to restoring peace and order in the state.
With continued cooperation between security agencies and local communities, stakeholders believe more breakthroughs will be recorded in the coming weeks.
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