Soldiers stop armed smuggling attempt in Plateau

Troops from Operation ENDURING PEACE have stopped a plan to move illegal weapons through Zak Village in Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State. They recovered two AK-47 rifles and other items during the operation.

The operation took place on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Soldiers were doing a stop-and-search when they stopped a green Volkswagen Golf for a routine check.

A statement from the Nigerian Army on its X handle on Sunday said they found "a specially fabricated concealed compartment" in the car's dashboard.

The Army reported that the driver ran away into nearby bushes when soldiers asked him to open the compartment. "Troops immediately pursued and apprehended him," the statement explained.

The Army noted that while soldiers were holding him down, the suspect tried to take a soldier's weapon. This led to a quick response from the troops. "However, while being restrained, the suspect attempted to disarm one of the soldiers, prompting a swift response during which he was neutralised," the Army said.

Afterward, a deeper search of the hidden compartment revealed two AK-47 rifles, one magazine, two wooden rifle butts, nine magazine pouches, two camel bags, six jungle hats, one mobile phone, and one ATM card.

The Army said this recovery shows that their security measures are working to stop the flow of illegal arms. "The recovery highlights the effectiveness of sustained security measures aimed at disrupting the movement and proliferation of illicit arms," the statement added.

They also mentioned that the Nigerian Army, along with other security agencies, is dedicated to keeping pressure on criminal groups and protecting important routes and communities across the nation. "Troops will continue to conduct strong stop-and-search operations and intelligence-based actions to detect, disrupt and dismantle networks involved in the trafficking of illicit arms and other instruments of violence," the Army stated.

The military has asked the public to stay alert and report any suspicious activities to security agencies.