Police ‘uncover illegal firearm factory’ in FCT

The federal capital territory (FCT) police command says it has discovered an illegal firearm fabricating factory in Shenagu village near Zuba, FCT.

Sadiq Bello, FCT commissioner of police, told journalists in Abuja on Friday that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.

He listed the suspects to include Philip John, owner of the factory; Onyegabueze Okpara, supplier of ammunition and Joseph Bulus, distributor of the arms.

Bello said items recovered from the suspects were locally fabricated revolver pistol cylinder, four dane guns, one double barrel gun, one single barrel gun, two calibre live cartridge and six dane gun muzzles.

Others are four single barrel muzzles, six barrel gun frame, two gun muzzle spring, one manual motor drill, one dice for retread and various implements used for manufacturing locally made weapons.

He said during interrogation, John confessed to have been in the illicit business for 17 years and selling the single-barrel guns and dane gun for N20,000 and N10,000 respectively.

The commissioner also said Okpara, “who disguises as a bicycle spare parts dealer”, was arrested at Kaita market with the items which he allegedly concealed and sold to criminals.

Okpara was also said to have been in the illicit deal since 1997 and sells a pack containing 25 pieces of live cartridge for N12,000, while single cartridge goes for N500.

Bello added that Bulus, the major link who connects the principal suspect — John — with potential buyers of the fabricated firearms, was arrested in Zuba.