Army arrests family members for operating gun manufacturing factory in Delta

The 63 Brigade of the Nigeria Army has arrested eight members of a family for operating a weapon manufacturing factory in Delta State.

The Commander 63 Brigade, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, revealed this while briefing newsmen at the illegal arms factory at Onicha Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state.

Eight suspects involved in the family business, including the mastermind of the operation, his father, mother and sister were among those arrested at the factory.

The arms factory located in a forest has a surveillance post, a generating set connected from a remote location, an oven for melting of iron and a cache of arms and ammunition.

The factory has the capacity to produce 10 guns per week.

Unachukwu noted the army had recovered items for the manufacturing of improvised explosive devices, IEDs, including shrapnels, detonators and the container.

The Brigadier General said the activities of the suspects were a major contributor to insecurity in the region and the country.

Unachukwu said: “In this axis it is only IPOB and Eastern Security Network that uses improvised explosive devices and even drones.

“A normal AK-47 magazine carries 30 rounds, but this man is modifying AK-47 magazine to carry 60 rounds.

“Anybody that is involved in act of insurgency that is against the peace and stability of Nigeria, we will get to you.”

The prime suspect, 22-year-old Emmanuel Eboka, admitted to have rented some of the arms to criminal elements.

“When I repair it for them I don’t charge them, they just give me whatever is in their mind. I don’t charge them.

“My daddy said I should leave his veranda, because he is not comfortable with me being around his veranda that is why I shifted to this side (the forest).”

His parents, Mrs and Mrs Ebokah, admitted that they were aware of the illegal activities of their son, but denied any knowledge that he was providing arms and ammunition to criminals.