By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Army busts illegal gun factory in Delta, arrests Eight
The 63 Brigade of the Nigeria Army has made a significant breakthrough by uncovering an illegal gun factory in Onicha Olona community, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta state.
Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, the Commander of the 63 Brigade, disclosed this during an operation at the site of the illegal arms factory, revealing that the facility was capable of producing ten guns weekly.
Among the eight suspects apprehended in connection with the illegal arms production were the mastermind, his father, mother, and sister, all involved in the family business.
Unachukwu highlighted the sophisticated setup of the arms factory, situated in a forest area, equipped with surveillance posts, a generator connected from a remote location, an iron melting oven, and a stockpile of arms and ammunition.
The recovered items included materials for manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) such as shrapnels, detonators, and containers.
The army commander emphasized that the activities of the suspects significantly contributed to insecurity in the region and the nation at large, particularly through the use of improvised explosive devices and modified AK-47 magazines.
22-year-old Emmanuel Eboka, identified as the prime suspect, admitted to renting some of the arms to criminal elements for a fee.
This discovery comes after the Delta State Police Command successfully rescued four kidnapped victims in the forests of Orerokpe community in Okpe Local Government Area last September, following a distress call reporting their abduction along the Abraka-Eku Expressway.
The relentless efforts of security agencies in Delta State underscore their commitment to combatting criminal activities and ensuring the safety and security of residents in the region.
Army busts, Delta state, illegal gun factory, arrests, security, insurgency