Army busts gun factory in Kaduna, arrests syndicate

The Nigerian Army said it busted a gun manufacturing factory in Kaduna and arrested a suspected gunrunner, Napoleon John, following a sting operation to mop up illegal weapons.

This was contained in a statement released on Friday on the X (formerly Twitter) account of the force.

According to the statement, the discovery of the illegal gun manufacturing factory was successful after a week-long intelligence operation which led to the arrest of the suspect and recovery of 22 different weapons.

The statement read in part, “In line with the Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN and General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar’s resolve to deal decisively with sponsors and perpetrators of crime as well as mop up illegal weapons in OPSH Joint Operations Area, troops have uncovered a gun manufacturing factory in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

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“The discovery followed a week-long intelligence operation that finally 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 a concealed factory where arms of different calibres were sold by another miscreant identified as Monday Dunia, who confessed to having been in the business for more than five years fuelling the crisis in Kaduna and neighbouring Plateau State.

“A thorough search of the factory led to the recovery of 22 different weapons including seven pistols, two locally fabricated AK 47 rifles, two military grade AK 47 rifles and nine revolvers. Others include one submachine gun, rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, machine tools and a gas cylinder. In a follow on operation from midnight of yesterday up till early hours of today, 22 September 2023, 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 ammunition, 6x dangerous daggers, 1x hacker axe, several empty cases of 7.62mm special rounds, two mobile phones, one fragmental jacket, two 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. The major kingpin(name withheld) is still on the run but would soon be apprehended.”

The statement also noted that the force troops have been directed to arrest all fleeing members of the syndicate who will be made to face the consequences of their actions.

“While commending troops for their doggedness and resilience, the GOC/ Commander OPSH also 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. He further assured to treat information provided with utmost secrecy and confidentiality.”