Army Seizes AK-47 and Other Weapons in Plateau

Troops from the Nigerian Army have recovered two AK-47 rifles and other weapons during an operation aimed at stopping a suspected attack on Mwar community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The operation took place on Wednesday as part of Sector 8 of Operation Enduring Peace and Operation Hard Knock. This followed intelligence about a possible attack planned by suspected bandits, according to a statement on the Nigerian Army's verified social media pages.

The statement said this intelligence was connected to reports of cattle rustling by some youths in the community.

The army said they sent troops to carry out fighting patrols and raids in the area to recover the cattle and catch those involved.

Troops used drones and other surveillance tools to search nearby settlements and bush areas but could not find the missing cattle.

The army reported that information gathered during the operation named one Pantong Stanley and others from the community as suspected criminals.

A raid on Mr Stanley’s house, however, did not find him at home. Troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one locally made AK-47 rifle, one locally made revolver rifle, two Dane guns, and 15 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition from the house.

The army said troops, alongside police and other security agencies, were continuing searches around the homes and locations of other identified suspects.

This operation happened a day after the military moved the tactical headquarters of Operation Enduring Peace from Jos to Mangu. This relocation followed a series of deadly attacks in the area.

The Commander of Operation Safe Haven and General Officer Commanding, 3 Division, Nigerian Army, Williams Dangana, explained that the move aimed to strengthen the military’s response to security threats in Mangu and nearby communities.

He also announced the start of Operation Hard Knock, which aims to break down armed groups and restore security in Mangu and surrounding areas.

This action came after the attack on Bin Mper community on August 18, where Amnesty International reported that 24 people were killed.

The organization called for an investigation into the security lapses that allowed the attack to happen.

Later, the Plateau State Police Command said Commissioner of Police Ayodeji Faniyan visited the community and assured residents that the attackers would be found, arrested, and prosecuted.

The latest military operation is part of increased security efforts in Mangu as authorities react to renewed attacks and attempts by armed groups to disrupt communities in the area.