The Lagos State Police Command has discovered a factory that manufactures weapons in Idata Community, in the Ibeju-Lekki area of the state.
In the operation, the officers apprehended two blacksmiths.
The culprits were paraded alongside 30 others for various crimes ranging from cultism, robbery and illegal possession of firearms.
The state Command’s spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the arrests were made in one month.
He explained how the factory was uncovered stating that it was possible based on proper information.
“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”, he said.
He added that one of the suspects was a wanted notorious cultist popularly known as Skipo, who was arrested at about 11:45pm, on October 11, over his involvement in the killing of a rival cultist.
“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”, Hundeyin added.
Other five suspected cultists were arrested after receiving complaints that some groups of boys were shooting sporadically around Church Avenue, Ikosi on October 13.
The paraded suspects, were four traders that were arrested in Alaba Market. They include, Emmanuel Chukwuma, aged 19; Chima Alajemba aged 19; Ogbenna Franklin aged 42 and Chidi Nnaji aged 42.
They were taken into custody as a result of complaints received about the adulteration and sale of counterfeit cables bearing the brand of a respectable electrical cable manufacturer.
“In addition, operatives of the command arrested one Ogbonna Eze, 27, who disguised himself as a dispatched rider to vandalise vehicles by removing brain boxes and other parts. The suspects will be arraigned in court at the conclusion of investigation”, he further stated.
In order to avoid being arrested, Hundeyin advised Lagosians in possession of illicit firearms to turn them in. He pointed out that this was in accordance with the Inspector-General of Police’s, IGP, directive to all commands to seize weapons and ammunition that were in the possession of non-state actors inside their respective areas of control.
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