The Nigeria Police Force has recorded fresh breakthroughs in its crackdown on illegal arms proliferation after operatives uncovered firearms manufacturing workshops in Yobe and Akwa Ibom states, leading to the arrest of nine suspects and the recovery of weapons, gun parts and fabrication equipment.
The separate operations, carried out in Potiskum, Yobe State, and Okobo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, come amid growing security concerns over the role of locally fabricated weapons in fuelling armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, cult violence and other crimes across the country.
In Yobe, the State Police Command said seven suspected gunmakers were arrested during a raid on a blacksmith workshop located at Tasha Adua along Danchuwa Road in Potiskum.
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According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, the operation was conducted by operatives of the Potiskum Area Command in collaboration with officers from the Divisional Police Headquarters following intelligence reports on illegal firearms production in the area.
Police recovered two fabricated pistols, 24 muzzle pipes, nine gun butts, four unserviceable Dane guns, a filing machine and a cutlass during the operation.
Authorities said investigations were ongoing to determine possible buyers, criminal links and the intended use of the weapons allegedly being produced at the workshop.
The Commissioner of Police in Yobe State, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, has reportedly directed an expanded investigation to identify additional illegal firearms fabrication centres and assess the broader security implications of the operation.
In a related development, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command dismantled what it described as an illegal gun manufacturing syndicate operating within the Okobo and Eket axis of the state.
The operation led to the arrest of two suspected gang leaders identified as Effiong Ekpenyong and Godwin Nduaesa.
Police spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, said the raid was executed through intelligence-led operations conducted by officers attached to the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit.
According to the command, the operation resulted in the recovery of three English-made double-barrel guns, two English-made single-barrel guns, 10 locally fabricated single-barrel guns, four iron barrels used in gun production, two gas cylinders, toolboxes containing fabrication equipment and one live cartridge.
John stated that the raid formed part of ongoing efforts by the command to curb the spread of small arms and light weapons across the state.
Investigations are continuing to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement and identify other members of the criminal network.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that the proliferation of illegal firearms remains one of the major drivers of insecurity in several parts of Nigeria, particularly in communities affected by banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and cult-related violence.
The latest discoveries in Yobe and Akwa Ibom highlight growing concerns among security agencies over local arms production and trafficking networks believed to be supplying weapons to criminal groups.
Police authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, stressing that public cooperation remains critical in the fight against crime.
