Nigerian Army said on Tuesday it successfully burst an illicit firearms manufacturing facility in Olona community of Onicha, in the Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Army Commander of the 63rd Brigade, Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu said eight (8) persons were apprehended in connection with the unlawful factory including the main suspect, 22-year-old Emmanuel Eboka, identified as the brain behind the illegal manufacturing, his father, mother, sister, and brother.
The military said the make-shift factory cited deep in the forest could produce 10 guns weekly and could modify AK-47 magazines to hold 60 rounds instead of the standard 30 rounds, indicating the sophistication of their operations.
“We’ve also seized materials used in the fabrication of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), such as shrapnel, detonators, and containers,” Unachukwu added.
The Commander additionally described the clandestine arms factory as equipped with surveillance cameras, a remotely connected generator, an iron-melting oven, and a stockpile of firearms and ammunition.
Unachukwu claims the main suspect confessed to owning the facility and even leasing some of his firearms to criminal elements for specified fees.
The army believes the factory was sponsored and supported by the secessionist group, IPOB and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN).
“In this area, only IPOB and the Eastern Security Network are known to employ improvised explosive devices and even drones,” he maintained.
The army commander said the manufacturing activities contributed to insecurity within the region and around the country, but assured, “We will pursue and apprehend anyone involved in acts of insurgency that threaten Nigeria’s peace and stability“.
Neither IPOB nor ESN have reacted to the army claim but in the past are often quick to dissociate themselves from armed struggles, insisting they are peaceful organizations seeking their agenda only through internationally accepted political and legal means.
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