Police arrests seven gunmakers, dismantle illegal workshop in Yobe

Operatives of the Yobe State Police Command have arrested seven suspected gunmakers following the discovery of an illegal firearms fabrication operation at a blacksmith workshop in Tasha Adua, along Danchuwa Road in Potiskum Local Government Area.

The suspects were apprehended during a raid on the workshop where they were allegedly engaged in the unlawful production of firearms, while investigators are working to determine the scope of their activities and identify other individuals connected to the operation.

According to the police, the raid led to the recovery of several locally manufactured weapons and equipment used in the fabrication process.

Items recovered included two fabricated pistols, 24 muzzle pipes, nine gun butts, four damaged Dane guns, a filing machine, and a cutlass.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday that the operation was carried out based on actionable intelligence.

“Our operatives acted on credible information and successfully dismantled a suspected firearms fabrication network. The recovery of these items underscores the seriousness of the threat posed by such illegal activities,” Abdulkarim said.

He added that the suspects remain in police custody while investigations continue to uncover possible collaborators and identify potential buyers of the weapons.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Usman Jibrin, has ordered an expanded investigation aimed at identifying other illegal firearms fabrication centres across the state and assessing the security risks they pose.

“The command remains committed to combating criminal activities and preventing the proliferation of illegal firearms.

“We urge residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to security agencies,” Abdulkarim added.