The 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army has uncovered a weapons manufacturing factory in Delta state, with a capacity to produce 10 guns a week.
The Commander 63 Brigade, Brigadier-General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the illegal arms factory at Onicha-Olona in Aniocha North local government area of the state.
He explained that 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 by the Army.
According to him, the arms factory that is located in a forest has a surveillance post, a generating set connected from a remote location, an oven for melting iron and a cache of arms and ammunition.
Unachukwu, who briefed journalists on the arrest further explained that the Army had recovered items for the manufacturing of improvised explosive devices IEDs including shrapnels, detonators and the container.
He pointed out that the activities of the suspects were a major contributor to insecurity in the region and the country.
“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 an AK-47 magazine to carry 60 rounds. Anybody that is involved in an act of insurgency that is against the peace and stability of Nigeria, we will get to you,” he said.
The prime suspect 22 year old Emmanuel Eboka, admitted to have rented some of the arms to criminal elements for set fees.
In his words, “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),” he said.
The parents of the prime suspect, Mr. and Mrs. Isioma and Angela Eboka, acknowledged they were aware of the illegal activities of their son, but denied that they were not aware he was providing arms and ammunition to criminals.
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