As the nation continues to grapple with insecurity across its regions, an illegal fire arms factory located in a forest at Onicha-Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State has been discovered by troops of the 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army.
The illegal weapon-manufacturing factory is said to have the capacity to produce at least 10 guns per week.
The Commander of 63 Brigade, Brigadier-General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, disclosed the discovery while briefing journalists at the illegal arms factory at Onicha-Olona in Aniocha North.
The factory is said to be a family business just as the troops apprehended eight suspects including the mastermind of the operation, his father, mother and sister.
The arms factory located in the 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.
Brigadier-General Unachukwu, who briefed journalists on the arrest, noted the army had recovered items used to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDs) including shrapnels, detonators and the container.
He said the activities of the suspects were a major contributor to insecurity in the region and the country, noting, “In this axis it is only IPOB and Eastern Security Network that use 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 any act of insurgency that is against the peace and stability of Nigeria, we will get to you.”
The 22-year-old prime suspect, Emmanuel Eboka, admitted to have rented some of the arms to criminal elements for certain amount, saying, “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 verand, because he is not comfortable with me being around his veranda that is why I shifted to this side (the forest),” he noted.
Mr and Mrs Isioma and Angela Eboka, parents of the prime suspect, while acknowledging that they were aware of the illegal activities of their son, denied being aware of their son’s involvement in supply of guns to criminals.
