Police discovers gun-making Factory being run by Father and Son, arrest Suspects
Police discovers gun-making Factory being run by Father and Son, arrest Suspects
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has dismantled an illegal gun-making operation run by a father and his sons, who were producing firearms for sale to criminals both within the state and beyond.
During a press briefing on Monday at the Command Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, State Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph O. Eribo, shared details of the significant discovery.
The operation was based on reliable intelligence gathered by the command, which led to a swift response from police operatives.
Upon raiding the facility, officers arrested one suspect, David Nse Emmanuel, while his father, Akpan Nse Emmanuel, and his brothers, who were also involved in the operation, managed to escape.
The police seized several firearms during the raid, including seven newly made single-barrel guns, five double-barrel guns, one special steel double-trigger pistol, a broken single-barrel gun, a trigger-handle walking stick knife, and numerous cut iron pipes used to fabricate gun barrels.
CP Eribo assured the public that efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects and identify anyone who may have purchased or placed orders for firearms from the illegal factory.
In a separate development, police arrested suspected child trafficker Promise Boniface in Obio Ibiono for abducting five children from the same mother.
The children were rescued unharmed and safely reunited with their parents. The suspect’s motorcycle, used in the abduction, was also recovered.
The commissioner explained that the arrest followed a distress call on November 14, 2024, when a woman reported that an unknown man had taken her five children on a motorcycle.
Responding quickly, police operatives, assisted by villagers from Mbiakpan Ikot Idim and Obio Ibiono, tracked down the suspect and recovered the children.
“On 25/10/2024, information at the Command’s disposal led to the recovery of a black Toyota Corolla car, registration number ETN 674AA, suspected to have been stolen.
“Acting swiftly, operatives of the command arrested one Kingsley Ernest Nelson, aged 38 years. Investigations revealed that the suspect had been previously charged to court twice and remanded for similar offences.
“He confessed to starting his car-stealing operations in 2017, collaborating with partners based in Rivers State. The following items were recovered: One (1) Toyota Sienna car with registration number DUU 692NZ, One (1) Toyota Rav4 jeep with registration number ETN 676AA (colored white), Master keys used to unlock vehicles forcefully, Six (6) fake car documents. Investigations are ongoing to recover more stolen vehicles.
“On 24/10/2024, at about 23:50 hrs, a man (name withheld) reported via a distress call that he was attacked by three armed men wearing black masks while driving his black Toyota Camry car. The armed men fired sporadically, dragged him out of the vehicle, and drove off. Operatives of the Command traced the suspects to Aba, Abia State, and arrested five individuals: Clement Ime Okon, Thomas Effiong, Joseph Okon Edem, Saviour Agbor, Matthew Elijah Stephen.
“The stolen car was recovered at a car stand where it was being negotiated for sale. Further investigation led to the recovery of three locally made pistols and charms. The suspects will have their day in court,” the police commissioner said.
