By Deborah Nnamdi
The Enugu State Police Command has uncovered and dismantled an illegal firearms fabrication and maintenance workshop in the Udi Local Government Area of the state.
During the operation, police recovered a cache of weapons and equipment, including locally made cut-to-size single-barrel guns, two English-made double-barrel guns, eight single-barrel guns, two live cartridges, eight expended cartridges, three generator sets, various firearms repair tools, and other items.
In a statement issued Tuesday in Enugu, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, described the operation as a major step in curbing the proliferation of illegal firearms and enhancing public safety.
According to Ndukwe, the raid was carried out on June 30 around 4 p.m. by operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad, acting on credible intelligence. The workshop was located in the Amofia-Agu Affa community in Udi LGA.
The successful operation followed the arrest and confession of a 32-year-old suspect, Ekene Okafor, a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity. Okafor had earlier been apprehended for conspiracy, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms.
He led investigators to the illegal workshop, where his locally made cut-to-size gun was undergoing repairs. The workshop’s owner fled upon sighting the operatives and is currently at large. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fugitive.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives for the breakthrough and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling illegal arms production and related crimes.
The Command also urged members of the public to remain vigilant, obey the law, and continue to support police efforts by providing credible information.
