The Nigerian Army of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH), uncovered a gun manufacturing factory in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The discovery followed week-long intelligence operations that led to the capture of a wanted gunrunner, Napoleon John, who had been on the wanted list of OPSH.
The suspect, who confessed to the crime, led troops to the factory where arms of different calibre were sold by “another miscreant identified as Monday Dunia”, who confessed to having been in the business for more than five years.
A statement by the Commander, Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) and General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Armoured Division, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, said a thorough search of the factory led to the recovery of 22 different weapons, including 7 pistols, 2 locally fabricated AK 47 rifles, 2 military grade AK 47 rifles and 9 revolvers.
Others include one submachine gun, rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, machine tools and a gas cylinder.
In follow-up operations on Thursday night, through the early hours of Friday, 22nd September, the troops raided another hideout in Adua 1 village in Kafanchan and captured additional 2 x AK-47 Rifles, 2 x revolver rifles, live rounds of 9mm and 7.62 ammunitions, 6 x dangerous daggers, one x hacker axe, several empty cases of 7.62mm special rounds, 2 mobile phones, one fragmental jacket, 2 Police uniforms, one military camouflage trousers, one ammunition magazine carrier, one pistol holster, one military grade camel pouch, one police combat helmet, 2 masks, 4 identity cards, gunpowder, shrapnels, charms and amulets. Also recovered were machine tools and other equipment.
While commanding troops for their doggedness and resilience, the GOC/Commander OPSH, vowed to ensure all fleeing syndicate members were arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
He warned sponsors and perpetrators of criminalities to immediately abandon their evil ways and embrace lawful means of livelihood.
General AE Abubakar also thanked the general public for their unwavering support in the fight against criminality and urged them not to relent in furnishing the troops with actionable information.