Lagos police bust illegal arms factory

The police in Lagos have uncovered an arm fabrication facility in Idata Community, located in the Ibeju-Lekki area.

Among those apprehended were two blacksmiths: Musiliu Gbenga, aged 21, and Owolabi Azeez, aged 22. They were presented to the public along with 30 other individuals accused of various offenses such as cultism, theft, and illegal possession of firearms. These individuals were suspected of selling the manufactured weapons to criminal elements.

During a parade of the suspects at the conference hall of the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja, Lagos, Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the command, disclosed that these arrests had been made over the span of one month.

Hundeyin detailed how the clandestine firearm fabrication facility was exposed, stating, “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 gun, 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.”

He noted that one of the suspects, widely known as Skipo and a notorious cultist, was apprehended around 11:45 pm on October 11, 2023, for his alleged role in the killing of a rival cult member in a Yaba hideout, Lagos State.

He said “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.”