Lagos, Nigeria – In a significant breakthrough, the Lagos State Police have exposed an illegal arms manufacturing facility in the Idata Community of Ibeju-Lekki. The operation led to the arrest of two blacksmiths, Musiliu Gbenga (21) and Owolabi Azeez (22), who were allegedly fabricating firearms for sale to criminals.
The suspects were paraded alongside 30 other individuals accused of various crimes, including cultism, theft, and the illegal possession of firearms. The suspects are believed to have supplied these illicitly manufactured weapons to criminal networks.
The press conference was held at the conference hall of the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja, Lagos, where the Command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, provided details of the operation. According to Hundeyin, the arrests were made within the span of a month.
Explaining the discovery of the arms factory, Hundeyin stated, “Based on actionable intelligence regarding a blacksmith involved in fabricating firearms for sale to criminals in Idata Village, Ibeju-Lekki, police operatives raided the factory and apprehended two suspects.”
The haul from the operation included three single-barrel locally-made pistols, one double-barrel locally-made gun, one single-barrel locally-made gun, two single-barrel locally-made long guns, ten expended cartridges, twelve long pipes, two drilling machines, one gas cylinder, a vehicle, and various other tools used in the manufacturing process.
Among the suspects was a notorious cultist known as “Skipo,” who was arrested on October 11, 2023, for his alleged involvement in the murder of a rival cult member in Yaba, Lagos. Skipo, whose real name is Ganiu Yusuf and aged 23, was found in possession of two 9mm ammunition rounds.
Further investigations led to the arrest of six more individuals identified as cult members: Ikuologbon Tobi (aka Iku), Salaudeen Azeez, Sanni Jamiu (aka J-boy), Ganiu Muideen (aka Stone), Odinaka Ojiakor, and Farouk Muibi (aka Ozil). They were apprehended in different areas of the state with two locally made single-barrel guns, one double-barrel shotgun, three live cartridges, one dagger, and an assortment of charms.
On October 13, 2023, the police received complaints about groups of boys firing shots indiscriminately around Church Avenue, Ikosi, resulting in the arrest of five suspected cultists.
Notably, four traders, Emmanuel Chukwuma, Chima Alajemba, Ogbenna Franklin, and Chidi Nnaji, were arrested at Alaba Market for alleged involvement in the adulteration and sale of pirated cables using a reputable cable manufacturer’s trademark.
Furthermore, Ogbonna Eze (27) was apprehended after disguising himself as a delivery rider while engaging in the vandalism of vehicles by removing essential components like brain boxes and other parts.
The arrested suspects are currently undergoing investigation and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law. The Lagos State Police Command encourages individuals in possession of illegal firearms to surrender them voluntarily, assuring that they will not face arrest. This initiative aligns with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to all police commands to recover arms and ammunition from non-state actors within their respective jurisdictions.
