By Fatima Mukhtar
In a major breakthrough against arms proliferation, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has uncovered and dismantled an illegal firearms fabrication factory in Itu Local Government Area, arresting two suspected gunsmiths in a coordinated intelligence-led operation.
The raid, conducted on Thursday, October 24, 2025, around 6:57 p.m., led to the arrest of 39-year-old Aniekan Aniedi, the alleged mastermind of the operation, and 35-year-old Ubong Udofia, believed to be his accomplice.
According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, credible intelligence revealed that Aniedi had been producing locally fabricated weapons supplied to armed robbers and cultists across the region.
A thorough search of the illegal factory yielded a cache of weapons and manufacturing materials, including three locally made guns, five metal pipes, two iron rods, assorted copper wires, and two flat metal plates used in crafting gun butts. Tools recovered from the scene included a welding machine, an electric screwdriver, and an electric filing machine.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammad Azare, fsi, hailed the operatives for their swift and decisive action, describing the operation as “a major blow to the illicit arms supply chain fueling violence and criminality in the state.”
He assured that investigations are ongoing to trace the suspects’ network and possible clients, adding that the culprits will face prosecution upon conclusion of the probe.
Azare also urged residents to continue sharing credible intelligence on suspicious activities, emphasizing that all information received will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
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