Police discover illegal gun-making operation in Akwa Ibom

The Nigeria Police Force in Akwa Ibom State has found a suspected illegal firearms manufacturing and repair network. This operation led to the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of several guns and equipment used for making firearms.

Police officers from the new Violent Crime Response Unit carried out the raids in Okobo and Eket local government areas of Akwa Ibom.

In a statement on Tuesday, the police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, Timfon John, said the operation was based on reliable information about places allegedly used for making and repairing guns.

Guns recovered by the police in Akwa Ibom

Ms John, a deputy superintendent of police, said the raids took place in the early hours of Tuesday. This is part of the police's ongoing efforts to fight illegal arms and violent crimes.

The police recovered three English-made double-barrel guns, two English-made single-barrel guns, and ten locally made single-barrel guns. They also found four iron barrels believed to be used for gun making, two gas cylinders, two toolboxes with tools for building and fixing guns, and one live cartridge.

"The recovered items strongly indicate the existence of an illegal firearms fabrication and maintenance network operating within the affected areas," the police said.

Suspects arrested

The police named the suspects as Effiong Ekpenyong, 39, and Godwin Nduaesa, 78.

The command said investigations are ongoing to find out how involved the suspects are and to identify more members of the network.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Baba Azare, stated that the command is committed to breaking down illegal arms manufacturing and trafficking groups.

He mentioned that the spread of firearms is causing serious crimes like armed robbery, kidnapping, cult-related violence, and community clashes.

PREMIUM TIMES reported in March how the police in Akwa Ibom raided a gun-making shop in Uyo, the state capital.