Troops Bust Illegal Arms Factory in Nasarawa, Arrest Suspect

In a decisive blow to criminal infrastructure, Nigerian troops have successfully busted an illegal arms factory in Nasarawa, apprehended a suspect, and confiscated several locally fabricated pistols destined for criminal networks. This breakthrough highlights the evolving threat of illicit firearms production and the determination of security forces to disrupt it at the source. As the dust settles on this dramatic discovery, the implications for regional security, community safety, and national stability come sharply into focus.

On January 26, 2026, in Agwatashi, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, troops attached to Sector 2 of the Joint Task Force, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) unearthed a hidden arms manufacturing facility. The raid was initiated during a routine patrol out of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Idadu, part of an ongoing campaign to stem criminal activity in the North Central region of Nigeria. Upon encountering the concealed workshop, several individuals fled. However, one suspect, 26‑year‑old Baba Ogar from Arusu Village in Kokona Local Government Area, was apprehended while attempting to evade capture by climbing a tree. The subsequent search of the site yielded six locally fabricated pistols, assorted tools, cash, and a mobile phone, all pointing to the operation of a covert weapons‑making hub.

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Setting the Scene: Why This Matters

Illegal arms manufacturing is more than a criminal offense. It fuels violence. It empowers gangs. It erodes public confidence in security. In regions like Nasarawa, where banditry, kidnapping, and other armed crime have plagued communities, the discovery of a weapons factory strikes at the heart of wider instability. Nigeria, like many countries, faces persistent challenges from both imported and locally fabricated guns. These weapons often bypass official controls and end up in the hands of non‑state actors. In turn, they drive more violence, more fear, and more trauma. Yet here, security forces struck a symbolic and practical blow: they found the production line, shut it down, and took a suspect into custody.

The Raid: From Patrol to Discovery

The operation that exposed the illegal factory was far from accidental. Nigerian troops are conducting heightened security patrols in response to rising criminal threats across central Nigeria. Operation Whirl Stroke, a comprehensive military campaign involving multiple security agencies, aims to deny criminal groups freedom of movement and disrupt their logistics. The patrol in question was labeled a “fighting and confidence‑building patrol,” intended to both engage hostile elements and reassure residents that security forces are present and proactive.

As the patrol advanced near Agwatashi village, soldiers observed a secluded compound partially hidden by vegetation. Sudden movement and low activity around the perimeter aroused suspicion. When the soldiers approached, several figures bolted toward nearby brush. Their disappearance did not deter the troops, who moved in methodically. One man, however, did not flee completely. He climbed a tree in a desperate attempt to hide — a decision that ultimately led to his capture.

Apprehending the Suspect

The suspect, identified as Baba Ogar, was seized and questioned on site. The unusual detail of his capture — hiding in a tree — captured the attention of soldiers and highlighted both his panic and the pressure the troops’ presence exerted. Ogar’s age and origins suggest he was likely more than a passing visitor. Instead, he appeared to be directly involved with the illicit operation. Local sources and military accounts now describe him as either a key facilitator or an accessory to the broader production efforts at the site.

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What Was Found

After securing Ogar, troops conducted a detailed sweep of the compound. The findings were revealing.

• Six locally fabricated pistols, crudely made but functional, indicating production mechanisms rather than simple storage.
• Assorted fabrication tools and instruments consistent with gun manufacture.
• Cash totaling ₦40,500, suggesting financial transactions connected to the operation.
• A mobile phone, possibly linking the suspect to communications with co‑conspirators or buyers.

These items paint a picture of more than just a hidden stash. They show evidence of active production and distribution. Local firearm production can be rudimentary, but it remains dangerous and illegal in Nigeria. Guns made in such environments are often unregistered, untraceable, and used by criminal groups to fuel armed violence.

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Wider Implications: Supply Chains and Criminal Networks

This illegal arms factory did not exist in a vacuum. Preliminary investigations by military intelligence suggest the site’s firearms could have been supplied to criminal elements within Nasarawa and possibly beyond. Criminal networks often rely on locally manufactured weapons when imported firearms are more difficult to source. Consequently, hidden production facilities become key nodes in wider illicit supply chains.

Combatting illegal arms production thus does more than seize guns. It interrupts entire lines of support to bandits, kidnappers, cult gangs, and other violent actors. By dismantling one hub, security forces weaken the overall ecosystem that sustains armed crime. This effect ripples outward — making other criminal groups reconsider their strategies and increasing the vulnerability of their logistics to future raids.

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Response from Military Leadership

Following the operation, military leadership issued statements praising the conduct of the troops involved. Major General Moses Gara, Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, commended the professionalism and vigilance exhibited by his soldiers. He emphasized that sustained pressure and intelligence‑led patrols are key to uncovering covert criminal infrastructure.

General Gara also stressed the importance of maintaining operational momentum. He warned that criminal syndicates will adapt and relocate unless they face consistent pushback. Moreover, he reiterated the value of community cooperation, urging residents to share timely and credible information with authorities. Reliable civilian intelligence, he said, is essential to dismantling networks that continue to evade detection.

Legal and Investigative Next Steps

After his arrest, Ogar was placed in custody to assist investigators. The Nigerian legal framework treats illegal arms manufacturing and distribution as serious offenses, often resulting in severe penalties for those convicted. As the probe continues, authorities are seeking to identify other suspects who fled the scene.

Questions remain about whether this site was part of a larger arms production network. Was it a standalone enterprise? Or one link among several connected hubs? For now, security services are combing through calls, contacts, and financial records in the recovered mobile phone. They are also tracing where the cash came from, searching for leads that could point to distribution routes and beneficiaries of the weapons.

Impact on Local Communities

For residents of Agwatashi and surrounding areas, the discovery has significant implications. Communities long plagued by insecurity see this action as a positive sign that law enforcement and military efforts can reach even hidden criminal installations. Residents describe apprehension and relief in equal measure. On one hand, the existence of a weapons factory in their midst is unsettling. On the other, its disruption brings hope for greater safety and order.

Local leaders have reportedly pledged to cooperate with authorities in future operations. They emphasize that public safety and community stability depend on open communication with military units. This shared responsibility is seen as a key element in sustaining long‑term peace and making other criminal elements less confident about operating in these areas.

Economic and Social Dimensions

Beyond security, the presence of illegal arms production affects local economies. Criminal activity discourages investment. It disrupts farming and trade. Families face loss, fear, and trauma. By dismantling a manufacturing site, troops indirectly support social recovery and economic resilience. Communities free from the shadow of guns are more likely to participate in markets, schools, and social life without fear.

Expert Commentary on Illicit Firearms in Nigeria

International and local security analysts note that Nigeria’s struggle with illegal weapons mirrors global challenges. Illicit firearms are a driving factor behind many conflicts in Africa and beyond. In regions like the Sahel, Boko Haram insurgents and bandit groups alike have used small arms to devastating effect. Nigeria’s own experience underscores how locally fabricated weapons complement imported arms flows.

Experts encourage strengthened border controls, enhanced intelligence sharing among agencies, and sustained community engagement to curb illegal production and trafficking. Although the Nasarawa bust is a single event, it reflects broader patterns and offers practical lessons about what works in security operations — particularly the value of routine patrols coupled with actionable intelligence.

Lessons from the Field

The discovery of this illegal arms factory is not an isolated incident. Across Nigeria’s security landscape, troops of Joint Task Force units have uncovered weapons caches, hidden workshops, and distribution corridors in recent years. These efforts collectively contribute to national and regional stability. Nonetheless, each success brings a reminder that criminal networks are adaptive. Security forces must remain vigilant, flexible, and innovative in their tactics.

For Further Reading

• Troops uncover illegal arms factory in Nasarawa, recover six guns — Vanguard News — Detailed report on the discovery and seizure. 22
• Troops Uncover Illegal Arms Factory in Nasarawa, Arrest Suspect — TVC News —
• Nigeria Set to Court-Martial 16 Soldiers Over Alleged Coup Plot as Military Breaks Silence — Community and military responses.