Lagos: Police uncover arms factory, arrest suspects

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have uncovered an arms factory in Idata Community, Ibeju-Lekki area of the State.

Spokesperson of the Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, said two blacksmiths: Musiliu Gbenga, 21, and Owolabi Azeez, 22, were arrested at the factory.

Parading the suspects at the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja, Hundeyin said, “Based on actionable intelligence on a blacksmith who fabricated firearms for onward sale to criminals around Idata Village in Ibeju-Lekki, operatives of the Command busted the factory and arrested two suspects.

“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, 10 expended cartridges, twelve long pipes, two drilling machines, one gas cylinder, one vehicle and other fabricated tools were among the items recovered from the factory.”

Hundeyin said one of the suspects (popularly known as Skipo) was a wanted notorious cultist who was arrested at about 11:45pm on October 11, 2023, over his alleged involvement in the killing of a rival cultist, in a hideout in the Yaba area of Lagos State.

“Ganiu Yusuf, aka Skipo, aged 23, was arrested in possession of two 9mm ammunition. Further investigation led to the arrest of Ikuologbon Tobi, aka Iku, aged 23; Salaudeen Azeez, aged 27; Sanni Jamiu, aka J-boy, aged 26; Ganiu Muideen, aka Stone, aged 23; Odinaka Ojiakor, aged 26 and Farouk Muibi, aka Ozil, aged 22, in different areas of the State, in possession of two locally made single barrel guns, one double barrel shotgun, three live cartridges, one dagger and different charms. Investigation revealed that they are all cult members.

“The next day, October 13, 2023, five suspected cultists were arrested after receiving complaints that some groups of boys were shooting sporadically around Church Avenue, Ikosi,” he added.

Among the paraded suspects “were four traders who were arrested in Alaba Market. They are: Emmanuel Chukwuma, aged 19; Chima Alajemba, aged 19; Ogbenna Franklin, aged 42 and Chidi Nnaji, aged 42.”

They were apprehended based on receipt of complaints from a “reputable electricity cable manufacturer on the adulteration and sales of pirated cables, using their company’s trademark.

“In addition, operatives of the Command arrested one Ogbonna Eze, 27, who disguised himself as a dispatched rider to vandalise vehicles by removing brain boxes and other parts. The suspects will be arraigned in court at the conclusion of the investigation”.