ABUJA/Nigeria: Three youths from Onicha-Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State have regained their freedom after spending one year and six months in the custody of the Nigerian Army over allegations of operating an illegal gun and drone fabrication factory.
Their release came following sustained pleas for clemency led by Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, who has been engaging security agencies on the matter since the arrests.
The young men were picked up in February 2024 by operatives of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, after a facility allegedly linked to their family in Onicha-Olona was uncovered and tagged a prohibited gun and drone manufacturing outfit.
Speaking shortly after they were freed, one of the youths expressed profound gratitude to Senator Nwoko and the security agencies, explaining that their interest in building security gadgets was “an innate talent” they had nurtured since their primary school days. Their parents also confirmed that the boys had shown technical curiosity and had experimented with security devices from their early teens.
It will be recalled that Senator Nwoko had, over a year ago, urged security authorities to channel the boys’ creativity into productive innovation rather than allow their talent to waste. He argued then that in an era driven by science and technology, their skills could be transformed into meaningful national assets.
According to the lawmaker, an amnesty and rehabilitation programme, carefully supervised by relevant security agencies, would help the youths put their abilities to positive use, particularly in the maintenance and fabrication of security materials for the benefit of society.
