The Benue State PoliceCcommand has uncovered an illegal arms fabrication factory in Anyuwogbu-Ibilla in Oju Local Government Area of the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who led a team of top police officers to the local government revealed that the illegal firearm factory was uncovered in the cause of police investigation of another case.

He said three persons, identified as Abi Oda, Kingsley Abi and Thomas Ode have been arrested in connection with the illegal arms factory and other related offences.

“The Police in Oju were originally investigating a case of abduction and suspected case of rape involving a 15 year old girl and her abductor.

“In the cause of the investigation, one of the suspects was traced and apprehended which later led to the discovery of this illegal arms fabricating factory in the area.

“You have seen the riffles and the modus they adopt in fabricating them. We discovered that when they manufacture the weapons locally, some of the riffles use AK47 ammunition,” Owoseni said.

Owoseni disclosed that the owner of the factory, Abi Oda who was arrested alongside his son, Kingsley, had since confessed to the crime.

“The father (prime suspect) has owned up to having and running the workshop. It looked like a normal blacksmith workshop on the outside but if you move to the backyard, you would be amazed at what you would see,” the CP added.

He further advised the general public to always avail the police with useful information that could lead to the arrest of criminal elements in their locality.

Also speaking with reporters, the prime suspect, Oda who had owned up to the crime, however noted that he was a blacksmith proficient in fabricating cutlasses, hoes, dane guns and rings.