ONICHA-OLONA/Nigeria: In a significant breakthrough in the fight against illicit arms proliferation, the 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army has unearthed a clandestine weapons manufacturing facility in Delta State. Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, Commander of the 63 Brigade, disclosed this startling revelation during a press briefing held at the illegal arms factory located in Onicha Olona, Aniocha North local government area of the state.
The factory, operated by a family syndicate, was found to have the capacity to churn out ten guns per week, posing a grave threat to public safety and security. Among the eight suspects apprehended by the authorities were the mastermind of the operation, identified as twenty-two-year-old Emmanuel Eboka, along with his parents and sister.
Located deep within a forest, the arms manufacturing hub boasted a sophisticated setup, complete with surveillance infrastructure, a power generator linked to a remote source, and specialized equipment for iron melting. Additionally, a cache of arms and ammunition was discovered on the premises.
Brigadier General Unachukwu, while addressing the media, emphasized the gravity of the situation, highlighting the role of such illicit activities in fueling insecurity both regionally and nationally. He underscored the urgent need to root out such elements that undermine the peace and stability of Nigeria.
“In this axis, it is only IPOB and Eastern Security Network that use improvised explosive devices and even drones,” remarked the Commander. “Anybody that is involved in the act of insurgency that is against the peace and stability of Nigeria, we will get to you.”
The prime suspect, Emmanuel Eboka, confessed to his involvement in the illegal arms trade, admitting to renting out firearms to criminal elements for undisclosed fees. “When I repair it for them, I don’t charge them,” he stated. “They just give me whatever is in their mind.”
While Emmanuel’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Isioma and Angela Eboka, acknowledged awareness of their son’s illegal activities, they denied any knowledge of his involvement in providing arms and ammunition to criminals. “My daddy said I should leave his veranda,” Emmanuel explained, “that is why I shifted to this side (the forest).”
The apprehension of the perpetrators and the dismantling of the illicit arms factory mark a significant victory for law enforcement agencies in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against arms proliferation and criminal networks.
