FCT : NSCDC Apprehends 7 Local Manucfacturers Of Guns

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have foiled the operations of some unscrupulous elements in the act of producinglocally made Rifles and Pistols in the Abuja metropolis.

A statement by the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi says that the criminal attempt was foiled by a tip-off and the NSCDC Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation who were under Surveillance and Monitoring swung into action and apprehended the suspects.

According to the statement, the names of the Suspects are Amos Iyawo (M) aged 29 years, Jonah Mannaseh (M) aged 27years, Ezekiel Nannim (M) 20years, Naifa Pando (F) 26years, Euphemia Peter (M) 26years, Faith Gadang (F) and Philemon Karam (M) 26years.

The statement says from the confession of the suspects, the leader of the team is Amos Iyawo who recruited others as manufacturers of the Rifles.

It further states that none of the Rifles or Pistols have been sold out as their production just commenced.

According to the statement, the surveillance and monitoring team recovered 5 already fabricated Rifles,1 Pistol, 1 unfinished Rifle, 7 empty Cartridges, 2 boots, rods, welding machine, filling machine,2 Searchlight, 3 pliers, Shovel, Cutlass and Axes, a Hunters ID card and belt from the suspects.

It states that all exhibits will be handed over to the Nigerian Police for further investigation and possible prosecution as the lead agency in cases of Proliferation of small arms and ammunition, illegal possession of arms and ammunition and unauthorized production of same.

The statement says that Security Agencies across the nation are working in collaboration to salvage the country from the hands of criminal-minded persons.

The NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi has also given a marching order to all Zonal Commanders, State Commandants and heads of formations on the need for prompt Intelligence Gathering which remains the bedrock of any Security organization.

Dr Audi hinted that the eagle eyes of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad and CG’s Mining Marshall newly commissioned by the Minister of Interior, Dr Tunji Olubunmi-Ojo would be all out to frustrate and combat all acts of Crude oil theft, illegal dealings in Petroleum products, illegal mining, Vandalism of Public Utilities amongst others across the nation.

He urged the public to continue to have confidence in the Corps and other Security agencies by giving actionable intelligence and credible information that would lead to the arrests of those sabotaging the efforts of the Federal Government in actualizing the Renewed Hope agenda.

PR/Nkiru Njemanze