Police bust illegal arms factory, arrest cultist, murder suspects

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) said it raided an illegal weapons manufacturing factory in Benue State, arrested a suspected cultist in Delta State, and a murder suspects in Kebbi State, in a renewed effort to tackle crime and enhance internal security.

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force public relations officer, disclosed these in a statement issued on Friday, emphasising the proactive measures being taken to improve security and ensure public safety.

Police operatives in Benue State uncovered an illegal arms manufacturing factory in Tse Akamabe, Kwande Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of two suspects, Friday Aduduakambe and Iorwashima Iornyume, also known as ‘AK,’ both aged 35.

During the raid, according to the statement, officers recovered nine locally fabricated pistols, an unfinished locally made AK-47 rifle, two gas cylinders, four vise machines, a filing machine, and numerous other tools used for arms production.

The police said that in Delta State, operatives acting on credible intelligence raided an apartment in the DSC area linked to Prosper Akeni.

Akeni, a.32-year-old notorious member of the Eiye confraternity, identified as a hitman for the cult group, was found in possession of an English revolver pistol, a Beretta pistol, two locally made double-barrel guns, two single-barrel guns, a locally made revolver pistol, a locally made single-barrel pistol, and 25 rounds of ammunition.

Akeni reportedly confessed that the recovered firearms belonged to his cult group and that he was entrusted with their custody as the leader of the group.

The police also revealed that in Kebbi State, two murder suspects were apprehended in separate incidents.

“On December 31, 2024, 25-year-old Yunusa Haruna of Bakin Turu Village stabbed his elder brother, Isiyaku Haruna, in the chest during a disagreement. Police officers from the Shanga Divisional Headquarters promptly arrested the suspect at the scene.

“In another case, Abubakar Ummar was arrested in Zuru Village on January 8, 2025, for fatally stabbing Mohammed Bala during an argument,” the statement reads.

Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), praised the operatives for their diligence and commitment to ensuring safety across the country.

He urged police personnel to intensify efforts to restore law and order nationwide while encouraging citizens to remain vigilant and provide actionable intelligence to the police to foster effective community policing.