The Bauchi Police Command has arrested three suspects over the alleged manufacture and possession of locally fabricated firearms, recovering three guns and tools believed to have been used in making the weapons.
The arrests followed a dramatic interception at Chief Magistrate Court 1, Misau, where police operatives allegedly caught a 30-year-old man, Abubakar Ahmad, popularly known as Tino, carrying a locally fabricated pistol loaded with a live cartridge.
Ahmad, of Makara Huta Quarters, Misau, was intercepted at about 3pm on September 25, 2026, while operatives attached to the Misau Division were on court duty.
Police said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was allegedly attempting to hand over the firearm to another suspect, 35-year-old Tijjani Yakubu, of the same address, who was being remanded at a Correctional Centre over alleged criminal conspiracy, theft and receiving stolen property.
During interrogation, Yakubu allegedly admitted ownership of the pistol, telling investigators that he had given it to Ahmad for safekeeping.
He reportedly went further to identify 48-year-old Bappah Kawu, a welder from Tashar Masu, Misau, as the person who allegedly fabricated and sold the pistol to him.
Following the disclosure, police arrested Kawu, who confessed to have fabricated the pistol and sold it to Yakubu for N30,000.
A search of Kawu’s workshop later yielded two locally made dane guns and several items allegedly used to fabricate firearms.
Among the items recovered were a hacksaw, files and long iron pipes, which police listed as exhibits in the ongoing investigation.
The three suspects were currently in police custody, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Bauchi, for discreet investigation.
Confirming the arrest, the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, reiterates the Command’s zero tolerance for illegal arms operation within the state.
According to him, investigation would determine the full circumstances surrounding the manufacture, sale and possession of the firearms and establish whether the suspects were linked to other illegal arms activities.
Aliyu, in a statement released on Saturday by the Command spokesperson, SP NAFIU HABIB, assured residents of the police commitment to ensure justice, while urging citizens to continue to provide timely and credible information to Police.