Police uncover illegal arms factory in Benue

The Benue State Police Command has uncovered an illegal firearms manufacturing syndicate operating in Kwande Local Government Area.
The command also recovered different caliber of firearms, unfinished locally made guns, working tools, live ammunitions and cartridges from the suspects.

While parading the syndicate alongside 31 other suspects apprehended for various crimes in different parts of the state at the command headquarters yesterday in Makurdi, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Paul Yakadi, said the command recovered over 17 different caliber of firearms, 85 live ammunition and other exhibits from the suspects.

The commissioner alleged that the syndicate specialized in the manufacturing and sale of their finished products to criminals who patronize them from parts of the country.
Among those arrested was a four-man kidnap gang who last week allegedly abducted one Yakubu Odoma at Naka town, in Gwer West Local Government Area of the state.
He said the gang had stormed the home of their victim in Naka, in a Toyota Corolla car with registration number AE 949 UGG and took him away to an unknown destination.

“His wife alerted the police and our Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, swung into action immediately, the victim was rescued and all the masterminds including Wilfred Igbadio, Tarza Ajiir, Monday Yorgongbi and Sunday Iortyange were arrested.
“Among the items recovered from gang were one AK 47 rifle without magazine, one Automatic Pump Action, one locally made Barretta pistol with two rounds of .9mm live ammunition and six cartridges.”
The commissioner, who stated that his command had declared an onslaught against perpetrators of crimes and criminality in the state, urged all criminals to leave Benue or be prepared for a showdown with the police.


Source People's Daily