🇳🇬 Operation ENDURING PEACE Disrupts Planned Attack In Plateau, Recovers Five Rifles

Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have disrupted preparations for a suspected attack on Mwar Community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, recovering five rifles and ammunition during targeted operations following intelligence of an imminent threat.

Desk: Defence & National Security
Date: 20 August 2026
Time: 10:23 WAT
Location: Mangu, Plateau State, Nigeria

The operation was launched on 19 August after credible human intelligence indicated that suspected bandit militias were planning an attack on the community amid tensions surrounding the reported rustling of an unconfirmed number of cattle.

Troops of Sector 8, operating under Operation HARD KNOCK, deployed for fighting patrols and targeted searches while using drones and other surveillance capabilities to search surrounding settlements and bush locations for the missing cattle and gather further intelligence.

The search did not locate the cattle but led troops to identify Pantong Stanley and other youths from the community as suspected perpetrators. According to the operational account, a snap raid on Stanley's residence, conducted while he was absent, resulted in the recovery of 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 Army, working with the Police and other security agencies, has continued targeted searches around locations linked to other identified suspects, with operations focused on recovering the missing cattle, locating additional arms caches and apprehending those responsible.

The development highlights the role of intelligence-led intervention in preventing an anticipated attack while simultaneously addressing the weapons and criminal networks that could fuel further violence in vulnerable communities.

Operation ENDURING PEACE has urged residents to provide credible information on suspicious activities as security forces sustain efforts to prevent illegal arms proliferation and protect communities across Plateau State and the wider North Central region.

🏷️ Tags: Operation ENDURING PEACE, Operation HARD KNOCK, Nigerian Army, Plateau State, Mangu, Counterterrorism, Arms Recovery, Intelligence-Led Operations, Banditry, Community Security, North Central Security, Defence & National Security

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