The Nigeria Police Force, FCT Command has uncovered an illegal firearm fabricating factory located around Shenagu village near Zuba.
FCT Police Commissioner, Sadiq Abubakar Bello in a statement pointed out that, during a raid on the factory, three suspects were arrested – the owner of the factory, Philip John; the supplier of ammunitions, Mr Onyegabueze Okpara; and the distributor of the arms, Joseph Bulus.
Bello stated that during interrogation, Philip John, confessed that he has been doing the illicit business for 17 years and that he sells fabricated single-barrel guns to his clients at N20,000 each while Dane gun is sold for N10,000. According to him, he also made services and repairs of malfunctioning guns brought to him.
The statement further noted that, “The supplier of the ammunitions Mr. Onyegabueze Okpara who disguises as a bicycle spare-parts dealer was arrested at Kwaita market in possession of the exhibits which he carefully conceals and sells to criminals.
“In his statement, he narrated that he started the illicit deal since 1997 and that he sells a pack containing 25pieces of live cartridge for N12, 000, while single cartridge goes for N500. He further confessed that he gets his supply from Onitsha.
“Lastly Joseph Bulus, the major link that connects the principal suspect with potential buyers of the fabricated firearms, was arrested at Zuba.
List of recovered exhibits from each of the suspects are: Joseph Bulus – One (1) locally fabricated Double Barrel Fire Arm, Two (2) live 12 caliber cartridges, One (1) single Barrel Fire Arm frame, Two (2) Dane Gun frame, and Fifty eight (58) empty Cartridges shells.
Onyegabueze Okpara – Three hundred and thirty eight (338) live 12 caliber Cartridges.
Philip John – Locally fabricated Revolver Pistol Cylinder, Four (4) Dane guns, One (1) double Barrel Fire arm, One (1) single Barrel fire arm, Two (2) Caliber live Cartridge, Empty Caliber Cartridge shell, Six (6) Dane gun Muzzles, Four (4) single Barrel Muzzles, Six (6) single Barrel fire arm frame, Two (2) Dane gun Hammer, Five (5) Gun Muzzle spring, One (1) manual motor drill, One (1) dice for retread, and Various implement used for manufacture of locally made weapons.
In a separate development, the commissioner added that on 15th September, 2017, the Police operatives on stop and search at Dantata Bridge Jabi intercepted and arrested a suspected armed robber, Benjamin Jatau ‘M’ 29 years of Kabusa in possession of one barreta pistol with two rounds of live ammunition, one revolver pistol and one locally made pistol.
In his statement, the suspect an ex-convict confessed that the guns which he bought at fifty thousand naira (N50, 000) were to be used for a major robbery operation around Kabusa and environs.
The suspects will be charged to court on conclusion of investigation, the commissioner said.
