Military Says Plateau Arms Suspects Sold Weapons To Militias For Higher Payment

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The military has disclosed that some suspects arrested over illegal arms production in Plateau State admitted selling locally made firearms to Fulani militias because of better payment.

Selong Sule, chief of staff of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), revealed this while addressing a delegation of defence correspondents in Jos on behalf of Folusho Oyinlola, the general officer commanding 3 Division and commander of Operation Safe Haven.

According to reports by security publication Zagazola Makama, troops carried out intelligence-based operations that uncovered and dismantled several illegal weapon manufacturing centres across Plateau State.

“We have a lot of illegal weapon manufacturing factories. Recently, based on intelligence, we discovered and busted about three or four of such factories,” Sule said.

He explained that some of the suspects first claimed they produced weapons to help members of their communities protect themselves. However, investigations later showed that some of them also supplied arms to Fulani militias for financial reasons.

“Some of the suspects claimed they manufactured weapons for members of their communities to defend themselves. However, some later confessed that they also sold these weapons to Fulani militias because they paid more,” he stated.

Sule warned that the spread of locally produced firearms has continued to pose a serious challenge to security efforts in Plateau State.

He noted that although many residents defend the possession of weapons as a means of self-protection, illegal firearms often contribute to criminal activities and communal clashes.

The OPSH chief of staff also stressed that troops involved in security operations work within constitutional provisions, military regulations and approved rules of engagement, unlike armed civilians.

He added that Operation Safe Haven has continued to adopt non-violent approaches aimed at strengthening public trust and improving intelligence gathering within communities.

Sule urged the Plateau State Government, traditional institutions and community leaders to intensify efforts against illegal arms production. He also called for stronger cooperation with security agencies and encouraged residents to surrender unlawful weapons voluntarily.