Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have uncovered an illegal firearm manufacturing factory in Okobo Local Government Area and arrested two suspected gang leaders, identified as Effiong Ekpenyong and Godwin Nduaesa.
The operation, carried out by the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), followed credible intelligence and a coordinated raid targeting locations allegedly used for the fabrication, servicing, and repair of firearms within the Okobo and Eket areas.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, the suspects were apprehended along the Okobo-Eket axis during a two-hour intelligence-led operation.
Items recovered from the illegal factory included three English-made double-barrel guns, two English-made single-barrel guns, ten locally fabricated single-barrel firearms, four iron barrels used in gun production, two gas cylinders, a live cartridge, and multiple fabrication tools and equipment.
The police said the successful operation was executed by the VCRU, a special initiative introduced by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to combat violent crimes and emerging security threats across Nigeria.
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to dismantling illegal arms manufacturing and trafficking networks, warning that those involved in the unlawful production, distribution, repair, or possession of firearms would face the full force of the law.
Police authorities noted that the proliferation of illegal weapons remains a major driver of crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cult-related violence, and communal conflicts.
Investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the suspects’ activities and identify other members of the criminal network.
