Benue Police Bust Illegal Arms Factory, Arrest Three

By Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Benue State Police Command has arrested three suspects allegedly involved in illegal firearms manufacturing and recovered two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, five locally fabricated pistols, as well as tools and accessories used in producing firearms in Kwande Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Makurdi. He said the operation was carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following credible intelligence on the activities of a suspected illegal arms manufacturing syndicate operating in Adikpo, Kwande LGA.
According to the Commissioner, on July 29, 2026, at about 1:20 a.m., VCRU operatives raided two suspected illegal firearms manufacturing sites in Adikpo, leading to the arrest of two suspects. One locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, alongside tools and accessories believed to be used for firearm production, was recovered from the first suspect. At the second location, operatives recovered five locally fabricated English pistols. A third suspect was later arrested in connection with the illegal firearms manufacturing operation.
He further revealed that during a follow-up operation on July 31, 2026, at about 5:20 a.m., investigators recovered another locally fabricated AK-47 rifle from one of the suspects already in custody. This brings the total number of firearms recovered to two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and five locally fabricated pistols, while three suspects have so far been arrested.
CP Nwadiogbu stated that the suspects and recovered exhibits are currently in the custody of the VCRU as investigations continue to determine the full scope of the operation and identify other members of the illegal arms manufacturing network.
The Commissioner commended the VCRU operatives for their sustained intelligence-driven operations and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks involved in the manufacture, distribution and proliferation of illegal firearms across the state.
He also appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible information that will assist the Police in identifying and apprehending individuals involved in criminal activities.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Peter Aondongu, said the Command will keep the public informed as investigations progress.