Troops of the Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (JTF-OPEP) have arrested a suspected gunrunner and his wife during a special operation in Saminaka, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The arrest, which took place on October 8, was confirmed in a statement released on Wednesday by Major Samson Zhakom, the Media Officer of the operation.
Zhakom said the suspects — a 40-year-old man and his 18-year-old wife were caught at a snap checkpoint on the outskirts of Saminaka following a coordinated effort between JTF-OPEP and Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY).
“In a coordinated operation to enhance security across the Joint Operations Area, troops of JTF OPEP, in collaboration with OPFY, tracked and apprehended two notorious gunrunners,” the statement read.
The operation was based on credible intelligence from a security agency in Plateau State, which led to the setting up of the checkpoint where the suspects were intercepted.
During the arrest, troops recovered a total of 1,207 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition — a type commonly used in assault rifles such as the AK-47. The military believes the ammunition was on its way to armed groups operating in the North West.
“The operation, prompted by actionable intelligence, led to the recovery of 1,207 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition,” Zhakom added.
The two suspects are currently in military custody, and investigations are ongoing to uncover their network and destination.
The Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace, was set up to improve security in Plateau, Kaduna, and Bauchi States, areas that have experienced repeated attacks by bandits, gunmen, and criminal gangs.
The region, especially parts of North West and North Central Nigeria, has been dealing with rising insecurity, including banditry, kidnapping, arms trafficking, and violent clashes.
Authorities have often linked the surge in violence to the easy flow of weapons across porous borders and internal arms markets.
Operations like JTF-OPEP and OPFY are military-led responses designed to detect, intercept, and dismantle criminal groups and supply chains, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.
The military has urged Nigerians to continue providing useful intelligence that could help security forces track criminal elements.
“This successful operation is a result of effective collaboration and intelligence sharing. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies,” Zhakom stated.
He assured that the military remains committed to protecting lives and restoring peace in affected regions.
With this latest arrest, the military believes it has disrupted a key supply line for armed criminals in the North West, although more work still lies ahead.
