Police Bust Illegal Gun Factory, Arrest Two

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has uncovered an illegal gun manufacturing factory and arrested two suspected gang leaders, identified as Effiong Ekpenyong and Godwin Nduaesa, in Okobo Local Government Area of the state.

The operation, carried out by operatives of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), also led to the recovery of a cache of firearms and other materials used in the fabrication and repair of weapons.

According to a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, the suspects were apprehended along the Okobo-Eket axis following intelligence-led surveillance and coordinated operations.

John explained that the raid was conducted in line with the strategic directives of the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, aimed at curbing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across the state.

She said operatives acted on credible intelligence to storm locations suspected to be used for the local fabrication, servicing and repair of firearms within the Okobo and Eket areas.

Items recovered during the operation included three English-made double-barrel guns, two English-made single-barrel guns, 10 locally fabricated single-barrel guns, four iron barrels used in gun production, two gas cylinders and one live cartridge.

Other exhibits recovered were two toolboxes containing various fabricated implements and tools used for the construction, servicing and repair of firearms.

The police spokesperson described the operation as a major breakthrough by the VCRU, a strategic initiative of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, established to tackle violent crimes and emerging security threats nationwide.

She added that investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement and to apprehend other members of the criminal network.

The Commissioner of Police reiterated the Command’s commitment to dismantling illegal firearms manufacturing and trafficking syndicates operating within the state.

He warned individuals involved in the illegal production, repair, distribution or possession of firearms to desist immediately or face the full weight of the law, noting that the proliferation of arms remains a major driver of crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and communal violence.