The Nigerian Army has recovered three AK-47 rifles, two Dane guns and ammunition during a raid on suspected locations in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, days after about 23 residents of Mwar community in Chakfem Kingdom were reportedly massacred by suspected bandits.
The latest operation, carried out on Wednesday by troops of Sector 8, Operation Enduring Peace, followed intelligence indicating that suspected bandit militias were planning another attack on the community.
The Army disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday and shared on its official X handle, saying the operation was designed to prevent the reported planned attack while also investigating the circumstances surrounding an alleged cattle-rustling incident.
The development has further raised tension in the troubled community, particularly because it came only days after the reported killing of 23 residents, for which no arrests had been publicly announced by security agencies at the time.
According to the Army, intelligence available to troops suggested that the planned attack might have been linked to the reported rustling of an unconfirmed number of cattle allegedly carried out by some youths from the community.
The military said troops were therefore deployed to conduct fighting patrols, raid suspected locations, recover the missing cattle and apprehend those believed to be responsible.
As part of the operation, troops deployed drones and other surveillance equipment to search surrounding settlements, bush paths and other locations for the missing cattle.
However, the Army said the extensive search did not yield any trace of the animals.
“Although no traces of the cattle were found after a systematic search, intelligence identified Pantong Stanley and other youths from the community as suspected perpetrators,” the statement said.
Acting on the intelligence, troops proceeded to Stanley’s residence to conduct a search and arrest him.
Stanley, however, was reportedly not at home when the soldiers arrived.
Although the raid did not result in his arrest, troops reportedly uncovered a cache of weapons and ammunition from the residence.
The Army said the items recovered included one AK-47 rifle, one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, one locally fabricated revolver rifle, two Dane guns and 15 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.
The discovery has added another layer to the growing security concerns in Mangu, an area that has witnessed repeated violence and communal tensions involving farmers, herders and armed groups.
The latest development also raises questions about the alleged connection between the reported cattle rustling and the planned attack on Mwar community, particularly as the Army continues to investigate the identities and activities of those it described as suspected perpetrators.
The military did not state that the recovered weapons were used in the recent massacre of the 23 residents, and the alleged involvement of the named suspects remains subject to investigation.
The Army said troops, working alongside the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, had commenced further operations and targeted searches around locations where other identified suspects were believed to be.
The searches are expected to focus on three major objectives: recovering the missing cattle, locating additional weapons caches and arresting persons suspected of involvement in the alleged cattle rustling and other related security activities.
The operation comes amid heightened scrutiny of security measures in Plateau State following recurring attacks that have left communities vulnerable to killings, displacement and destruction of property.
The recent massacre of about 23 residents had already intensified concerns over the ability of security agencies to protect communities in the area and prevent reprisal attacks.
The discovery of firearms in the latest raid is therefore likely to deepen calls for intelligence-led operations capable of identifying and dismantling armed groups before they launch attacks.
Plateau has remained one of the states affected by recurring clashes and attacks linked to disputes involving communities, farmers and herders. Such conflicts have frequently escalated into deadly violence, with innocent residents bearing the consequences.
The Army urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information on suspicious movements, individuals and activities.
It also reaffirmed that Operation Enduring Peace remains committed to protecting lives and property and creating an environment conducive to peaceful coexistence in Plateau State and the wider North-Central region.
As further searches continue, attention will now turn to the whereabouts of Pantong Stanley and the other persons identified by military intelligence, as well as whether additional weapons and evidence will be recovered.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged cattle rustling, the identities of those responsible and any possible connection between the incident, the recovered weapons and the planned attack remain matters for the ongoing investigation.