Police dismantle illegal firearm factories in Benue, arrest suspected gunrunners

The Benue State Police Command says it has dismantled two illegal firearm manufacturing factories in Buruku and Kwande local government areas of the state and arrested suspected gunrunners in separate operations aimed at curbing the proliferation of illicit weapons.

The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiobu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Friday in Makurdi on the command’s recent operational successes against violent crimes across the state.

Nwadiobu said police operatives raided an illegal firearm manufacturing facility in Buruku Local Government Area, where one suspect was arrested and two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, along with firearm manufacturing tools and accessories, were recovered.

He said another operation in Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area, led to the arrest of a second suspect and the recovery of five locally fabricated English pistols.

According to the police commissioner, the suspects are in custody and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

In another operation, Nwadiobu said the command dismantled a suspected armed robbery gang linked to a series of violent crimes in Buruku Local Government Area and neighbouring communities.

He explained that operatives of the Operation Zenda Crack Squad acted on credible intelligence received on July 13, 2026, and arrested Ephraim Tertseagh Yough, 35, who was allegedly conducting surveillance in preparation for another attack.

The police commissioner said the suspect subsequently provided useful information that led operatives to the gang’s hideout at Kusuv in Buruku Local Government Area.

He said a follow-up operation carried out in the early hours of July 16 resulted in the arrest of five additional suspects.

Nwadiobu said the operation also led to the recovery of one K2 rifle and a cutlass allegedly used by the gang during its operations.

He said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were linked to several cases of armed robbery, violent attacks and the killing of residents, including the murder of a trader in Buruku Local Government Area in December 2025.

The commissioner added that investigations were ongoing to determine the full extent of the syndicate’s activities and apprehend other fleeing members.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information capable of preventing crime and protecting lives and property.