Nigerian Army troops have recovered arms and ammunition following a raid on a suspected cattle rustlers’ hideout in Plateau State.

The operation, carried out on Thursday, led to the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of weapons.

Major Samson Nantip Zhakom, Media Information Officer for the 3 Division/Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), said the raid took place at Kogul Village in Mangu Local Government Area.

“During the intelligence-based operation conducted on 11 September 2025, troops arrested 2 notorious cattle rustlers and recovered the following items from the suspects: an AK-47 rifle with its magazine, a locally fabricated revolver rifle, ten rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition, a mobile phone, and some cash,” Zhakom said in a statement.
He added that the suspects and the recovered items are in military custody for investigation. “Meanwhile, troops are conducting follow-up operations to intercept and arrest other members of the criminal syndicate,” he said.
According to Zhakom, the operation was part of efforts to reduce cattle rustling, which has been a recurring trigger of violence in Plateau communities. “This arrest is pivotal to the ongoing efforts to tackle the triggers of crisis, which troops of 3 Division/JTF OPEP are actively involved and have sworn to do in the Joint Operations Area,” he said.

The Plateau region has faced recurring violence linked to cattle rustling, banditry, and communal attacks.

In April, at least 10 people were killed in coordinated assaults on five communities in Bokkos Local Government Area.

A similar incident days earlier in Ruwi community left 10 dead and three injured during a wake-keeping.

The Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC), led by its chairman Farmasum Fuddang, had condemned those attacks and called for stronger security interventions.