Nigerian Army Busts Illegal Gun Factory In Delta, Arrests Eight

The 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Delta State uncovered an illegal arms factory in Onicha Olona community, located in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, leading to the arrest of eight individuals.

Among those individuals, there is a family including a father, mother, sister and brother. According to the military, these individuals can produce 10 guns every week.

Speaking at the illegal arms factory site with the journalists, the Commander of 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu explained that the prime suspect is 22-year-old Emmanuel Eboka, who admitted renting out these arms to criminals for a specific fee.

"Eight suspects involved in the family business, including the mastermind, of the operation, his father, mother and sister, were among those arrested at the factory," he said, Punch reported.

He revealed that the arms factory located in a forest has a surveillance post, a generator connected from a remote location, an oven for melting iron and a cache of arms and ammunition.

Unachukwu pointed out that these illegal gun factories contribute to insecurity in the country.

"We have recovered items for the manufacturing of improvised explosive devices IEDs including shrapnels, detonators and the container," he said. "In this axis, it is only IPOB and Eastern Security Network that use Improvised Explosive Devices and even drones."

The official also disclosed that a normal AK-47 magazine carries 30 rounds but Eboka was modifying an AK-47 magazine to carry 60 rounds. "Anybody that is involved in an act of insurgency, that is against the peace and stability of Nigeria, we will get to you," he concluded.

Nigerian Army disclosed this incident on the same day when President Bola Tinubu appealed to Nigerians to pray for peace and stability in the country.

"Yes, things are tough, but Allah has ordained us to make sacrifices, to discipline ourselves, help others, and be kind to ourselves," the president said, as per the official statement, adding that may Almighty God help the government to change the country for betterment.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) last month urged Tinubu to declare a state of emergency amid a surge in insecurity across the country. Even a coalition of 48 civil society organizations in Nigeria urged the same to the president earlier this year.