The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has dismantled an illegal firearm production facility in Okobo Local Government Area, arresting two men identified as Effiong Ekpenyong and Godwin Nduaesa. The operation, conducted by the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), followed intelligence gathering and targeted locations along the Okobo-Eket axis suspected of housing illegal gun fabrication activities. The raid lasted two hours and resulted in the seizure of three English-made double-barrel guns, two English-made single-barrel guns, and 10 locally fabricated single-barrel guns.
Also recovered were four iron barrels used in gun manufacturing, two gas cylinders, two toolboxes containing tools for firearm construction and repair, and one live cartridge. The police operation was carried out under the strategic directives of Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare, with the aim of curbing the spread of small arms and light weapons in the state. The VCRU, a national initiative established by Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, led the coordinated raid.
Timfon John, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the details in a statement. He said the suspects are currently in custody and investigations are ongoing to determine their full criminal network and connections. The police reiterated that the proliferation of illegal firearms fuels violent crimes including armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and communal violence. Commissioner Azare warned anyone involved in the illegal production, repair, or possession of firearms to stop immediately or face prosecution.
The police dismantled a gun factory in Akwa Ibom while the same state remains a known hub for illegal arms trade, raising questions about prior inaction. The suspects were arrested only after the creation of a new federal unit, suggesting existing local mechanisms failed to act. If the guns seized were already in circulation, then the network likely operated undisturbed for months under routine patrols.
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