Soldiers uncover gun factory in Nassarawa

Soldiers have discovered a gun-manufacturing
factory in Tapka, Lafia, Nassarawa State.
An officer at the Public Relations Directorate of the
Army, Lt. Col. Aliyu Yusuf, who addressed journalists
on behalf of the Director of Army Public Relations,
Brig.-Gen. Bola Koleosho, said the soldiers also
arrested two persons in connection with the incident.
Those arrested and undergoing interrogation,
according to Yusuf, for unlawful possession of fire
arms, are Bello and Iliya (surnames withheld).
It was learnt that soldiers are on the trail of a
suspected gunrunner, Adogi (surname witheld).
Yusuf said soldiers also raided the factory and
recovered arms and ammunition as well as charms.
The suspects were paraded at the Aguiyi Ironsi
Barracks in Abuja alongside the items seized from
them.
The seized items included 11 guns, two pistols, a
welding machine, hand drilling machines, 36 pieces
of 7.62 NATO ammunition, 39 pieces of 7.62mm
special ammunition and charms.
Also seized from the suspects were two Toyota
Corolla with number plates Epe, 737AG and Abuja
683 RBC.
Aliyu said the suspects were arrested by soldiers
deployed in the forest in Akwanga at midnight for
possessing a gun.
He said the investigating team took the suspects to
the factory where the dangerous weapons, which
were displayed on Tuesday, were recovered.
He said, "The suspects were on their way from Lafia
to Panda at the time of arrest. Preliminary
investigation conducted by the unit revealed that the
suspects bought the items from a local manufacturer
in Takpa.
"Our investigators moved to Takpa on the outskirts
of Lafia. Further investigation of the locals led to the
discovery of gunrunning factory."
Commander of the Brigade of Guards, Brig.-Gen
Emmanuel Atewe, appealed to the members of the
public to cooperate with all the security agencies by
volunteering vital information to them.
Meanwhile, the two suspects who spoke to
journalists said they were employees of Panda
Development area in Nassarawa.