By SUNTV Global Channel
June 27, 2026
The Nigerian military has revealed that suspected illegal gun manufacturers arrested in Plateau State confessed to producing and selling locally fabricated firearms to Fulani militias because the armed groups paid higher prices than other buyers.
The disclosure was made by the Chief of Staff of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Brigadier General Selong Sule, who spoke on behalf of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, during a security briefing in Jos.
According to Brigadier General Sule, intelligence-led operations by troops recently uncovered and dismantled between three and four illegal weapon manufacturing factories operating across Plateau State.
He explained that although some of the suspects initially claimed they produced weapons for members of their communities for self-defence, further investigations revealed that several of the firearms were also sold to Fulani militias because they offered higher payments.
“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,” Sule said.
The military described the widespread production and circulation of locally made firearms as one of the biggest factors fueling insecurity and recurring violence across Plateau State.
Sule warned that while many civilians justify possessing weapons for self-defence, such firearms often end up in the hands of criminal elements who use them to attack innocent communities.
He stressed that unlike civilians, Nigerian military personnel operate under the Constitution, military laws, and clearly defined Rules of Engagement, which regulate the use of force and ensure accountability.
Beyond military operations, Sule said Operation Safe Haven is intensifying non-kinetic strategies aimed at winning the trust of local communities and encouraging residents to provide timely and credible intelligence to security agencies.
He called on the Plateau State Government, traditional rulers, community leaders, and residents to work closely with security agencies by exposing illegal arms manufacturers, voluntarily surrendering illicit weapons, and supporting ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace across the state.
The military reiterated that dismantling illegal arms production networks remains a key priority in addressing the security challenges facing Plateau State and preventing weapons from falling into the hands of violent groups.
