Police Arrests Suspected Gunsmiths ln Akwa Ibom

By Patrick Titus, Uyo

Two men suspected to be fabricators of firearms linked to producing them for the purpose of criminal acts in Akwa Ibom State, have been arrested by the Police who also uncovered their products.

The suspects, Aniekan Aniedi, 39 and Ubong Udofia, 35 who operated the illegal firearms factory in Itu Local Government Area of the state are in Police custody for further investigation, our correspondent reports.

DSP Timfon John, who is the state Command’s Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Tuesday.

DSP John said the Command’s avowed commitment with support from the public to get rid of criminal elements in the state, led to the discoveries.

The statement said that “credible intelligence had earlier indicated that Aniekan Aniedi, a resident of Itam Village, Itu Local Government Area, was actively engaged in the production of locally fabricated and illegal firearms, which were being supplied to armed robbers and cultists in the region.

“Operatives of the Command stormed the factory on Thursday, October 24, 2025, at around 18:57 hours. The operation led to the arrest of the primary suspects, Aniekan Aniedi, and a second individual, Ubong Udofia, believed to be an accomplice in the illegal enterprise.

“A comprehensive search of the illicit factory yielded significant result as cache of weapons, tools and materials used in the manufacturing process were recovered which include: Three (3) fabricated locally oriduced guns, Five (5) pieces of metal pipes, Two (2) iron rods, Assorted copper wires and Two (2) flat metals designed for fabricating gun butts.”

According to the statement, tools and machinery, central to the illegal production line, were also seized as evidence: One (1) Wielding Machine, ⁠One (1) Mini Electric Screwdriver and ⁠One (1) Electric Filing Machine.

The Police image maker said that an intensive investigation was ongoing to uncover the full extent of the suspects’ network, identify their clients and get possible links of their operations to other criminal activities.

The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Baba Mohammad Azare has commended the operatives for their swift and effective action, noting that the operation as a significant blow to the illicit arms supply chain fueling violence and criminality in Akwa Ibom.

CP Azare urged members of the public to continue to provide timely and credible information on suspicious activities within their communities, assuring that all information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.