According to the Commissioner of Police, Steve Yabanet, two suspects, Friday Aduduakamve and Iorwashima Iornyume (aka “AK-35”), were arrested at a gun factory in Mbaafa.
The Benue State Police Command has uncovered two gun manufacturing factories in Guma and Kwande local government areas.
The discovery followed intelligence reports pointing to arms production activities in Mbaafa, Adikpo, Kwande LGA, which led to a police operation on January 11.
According to the Commissioner of Police, Steve Yabanet, two suspects, Friday Aduduakamve and Iorwashima Iornyume (aka “AK-35”), were arrested at a gun factory in Mbaafa.
Police seized nine fabricated pistols, an incomplete AK-47 rifle, two gas cylinders, a filing machine, and several other tools for gun fabrication, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Additionally, a second gun factory was discovered in Daudu, Guma LGA, where further arms were recovered.
Yabanet revealed that during their investigation into criminal activities in Daudu, officers identified 50-year-old Meme Ihoon as the key suspect behind the supply of firearms used by kidnappers, robbers, and cultists in the area.
On January 10, Ihoon was arrested, and six Dane guns along with three long pipes used for manufacturing firearms were seized from his home.
The suspect confessed to producing and selling arms. Further investigations are underway.
In a separate incident, three brothers from Obudu LGA, Cross River, were robbed by a motorcyclist on a trip to Kwande. The motorcyclist, in collaboration with his gang, diverted them to a remote location and robbed them of their French currency (CFA francs) and naira.
One of the victims was lynched, while another sustained serious injuries.
Two suspects, Terhemba Abugh and Shima Terseer, were arrested in connection with the crime.
The Commissioner of Police urged parents, religious leaders, and traditional rulers to assist in the fight against crime, emphasising the need for young people to be taught cultural and religious values.