Seven suspected illegal producers of locally made rifles and pistols have been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the Abuja metropolis.
The suspects were arrested following a tipoff about their activity. NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, gave the names of the suspects as Amos Iyawo (M) aged 29 years, Jonah Mannaseh (M) aged 27 years, Ezekiel Nannim (M) 20 years, Naifa Pando (F) 26 years, Euphemia Peter (M) 26 years, Faith Gadang (F) and Philemon Karam (F) 26 years.
It was gathered that none of the rifles or pistols had been sold out as the production just commenced. Five already fabricated rifles, one Pistol, one unfinished rifle, seven empty cartridges, two boots, rods, a welding machine, a filling machine, two Searchlights, three pliers, a Shovel, Cutlass and Axes, a Hunter ID card and belt were recovered from the suspects.
He said;
“Acting on a tip-off that a group of individuals were manufacturing semi-automatic rifles and pistols at Moshood Abiola National Stadium area in Abuja; the DII-SM acted based on credible intelligence and the 7 suspects were caught in the act”
Afolabi said all exhibits would be handed over to the Nigerian Police for further investigation and possible prosecution.
