The Nigerian Army says troops of Operation Whirl-Stroke (OPWS) have uncovered an illegal arms manufacturing factory in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Force Commander of OPWS, Maj.-Gen Adeyemi Yekini disclosed this on Wednesday while parading the suspected arms manufacturers and other suspects before journalists in Makurdi, the state capital.
Maj.-Gen Yekini also paraded 10 suspected criminals from neighbouring Nasarawa State who he said specialized in armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping as well as cattle rustling.
He said: “Three weeks ago, we had a briefing during which eight suspects were paraded. This afternoon, 10 new suspects are being paraded for armed banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling in Benue and Nasarawa states.”
Among those paraded were one Seidu Muhammadu, a suspected kidnapping kingpin and cattle rustler and one of his accomplices namely Moses Dzever, an alleged gang member of the wanted militia leader, Terwase Akwaza.
One of the suspected arms manufacturers, Shekwa Terna who was also paraded confessed to the crime, saying he went into the business about five years ago after learning the trade from his elder brother.
“I learnt the work from my elder brother who had earlier been apprehended. After his arrest, I took over the business.
“I was sleeping in my house when the OPWS came and arrested me. I sell the rifles to people in my community while the pistols I sell to a client from Onitsha,” Terna told journalists.
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