Nigeria: Police discover arms factory in Lagos
By Ahmad Hadizat Omayoza, Mamos Nigeria
Police in Lagos have discovered a factory producing weapons at Idata community in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos.
Two blacksmiths were arrested: Musiliu Gbenga (21 years old) and Owolabi Aziz (22 years old). They were paraded along with 30 other suspects for various crimes, including cultism, theft and illegal possession of firearms. They are said to have sold the weapons they manufactured to criminals.
Spokesperson of the command, Benjamin Fundein, while parading the suspects at a conference room at the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja, Lagos, said the arrests were made within a month.
Explaining how the factory where firearms were fabricated was uncovered, he said, “based on actionable intelligence on a blacksmith who fabricated firearms for onward sale to criminals around Idata Village in Ibeju-Lekki, operatives of the Command busted the factory and arrested two suspects.
“Three single-barrel locally-made pistols, one double-barrel locally-made gun, one single-barrel locally-made gun, two single-barrel locally-made long gun, 10 expended cartridges, twelve long pipes, two drilling machines, one gas cylinder, one vehicle and other fabricated tools were among the items recovered from the factory.”
One of the suspects, according to him, was a wanted notorious cultist popularly known as Skipo , who was arrested at about 11.45pm , on October 11,2023, over his alleged involvement in the killing of a rival cultist, in a hideout in Yaba area of Lagos State.
He said “Ganiu Yusuf aka Skipo aged 23, was arrested in possession of two 9mm ammunition. Further investigation led to the arrest of Ikuologbon Tobi aka Iku aged 23; Salaudeen Azeez, aged 27; Sanni Jamiu aka J-boy, aged 26; Ganiu Muideen aka Stone, aged 23; Odinaka Ojiakor, aged 26 and Farouk Muibi aka Ozil aged 22, in different areas of the state, in possession of two locally made single barrel guns, one double barrel shotgun, three live cartridges, one dagger and different charms. Investigation revealed that they are all cult members.”
The next day, October 13, 2023, five suspected cultists were arrested after receiving complaints that some groups of boys were shooting sporadically around Church Avenue, Ikosi, according to him.
Among the suspects presented were four traders who were arrested at Alaba market. They are: Emmanuel Chukwuma, 19 years old; Chima Alajemba, 19 years old; Ogbenna Franklin; 42 years old and Chidi Nagy, 42 years old.
They were arrested following a complaint from a reputable power cable manufacturing company regarding the sale of fraudulent and pirated cables using their trademark.
“Moreover, operatives of the command arrested a 27-year-old Ogbonna Eze who posed as a dispatch driver and destroyed the vehicle by removing the brain case and other parts. He said, “After the completion of the investigation, the suspects He will be prosecuted in court.”
There he called on the Rakgothians who were illegally in possession of firearms and assured them that they would not be arrested. He noted that this was in line with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to all orders to eliminate arms and ammunition in the hands of non-state actors within their respective jurisdictions.
