The Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mr Sadiq Bello, said
the Command has arrested three suspects in connection with an illegal firearm
fabricating factory in Shenagu village near Zuba, FCT.
The suspects are: Philip John, owner of the factory, Mr
Onyegabueze Okpara, supplier of ammunitions and Joseph Bulus, distributor of
the arms.
Bello made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on arrest
by operatives of the command on Friday in Abuja.
He said that items recovered from the suspects include:
locally fabricated revolver pistol cylinder, four Dane guns, one double barrel
gun, one single barrel gun, two caliber live cartridge and six Dane gun muzzles.
Others are: four single barrel muzzles, six barrel gun
frame, two gun muzzle spring, one manual motor drill, one dice for retread and
various implement used for manufacturing locally made weapons.
He said that during interrogation, John confessed to have
been in the illicit business for 17 years and selling the fabricated
single-barrel guns and Dane gun for N20, 000 and N10, 000 respectively.
The commissioner said that the Okpara, who disguise as a
bicycle spare parts dealer was arrested at Kaita market with the items which he
concealed and sells to criminals.
He said that Okpara had been in the illicit deal since 1997,
sells a pack containing 25 pieces of live cartridge for N12, 000, while single
cartridge goes for N500.
Bello said that Bulus, the major link, who connects the
principal suspect, John, with potential buyers of the fabricated firearms was
arrested in Zuba.
He said that the suspects would be charged to court on
conclusion of investigation.
Bello said that the command also arrested five armed robbery
suspects at Apo roundabout and Kabusa areas of the FCT.
The suspects are: Hashiru Isiaka, 30, of Kuruduma, Umar
Adamu,20, of area 1 Garki, Tukur Bala, 25, also of area 1 Garki, Bashiru
Mohhamed,25, of Durumi and Benjamin
Jatau, 29, of Kabusa.
He said that Jatau was arrested by operatives of the command
on Sept. 15 during a stop and search at Dantata bridge in Jabi.
Bello said items recovered from the suspect are: one
revolver pistol with two rounds of live ammunition, one revolver pistol and one
locally made pistol, Nokia cell phone, Indian hemp, charm and screw driver.
“The exhibits were discovered by the police during a search
conducted on the bag the suspect was carrying while on transit from Jabi to
Kabusa in a tricycle,“he said.
He said that the suspect who was an ex-convict confessed
that the guns, which he bought for N50, 000 was to be used for a major robbery
operation around Kabusa and environs.
“The suspect and exhibits have been transferred to the
command Special Anti-Robbery Squad ( SARS ) for discreet investigation and
prosecution,“he said.
He said Isiaka, Adamu, Bala and Mohammed were arrested on
Sept. 20 by the command SARS while responding to a distress call about a
robbery at Apo roundabout.
The commissioner said that Adamu was arrested at the scene
of the crime while his cohorts who fled on sighting the operatives, were later
arrested on Sept. 9.
He said that the suspects robbed and dispossessed two of
their victims of N120,000.
Bello said that suspects would be charged to court upon
conclusion of investigation.
He said with the support and cooperation of the public, the
command would continue to track and arrest criminals in the territory.
“This arrest goes to show that the command will not go to
sleep, residents have a stake and should feel free to give police information“ he
said.
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