Police dismantle illegal gun factory in Benue, recover weapons

The Benue police command says its operatives have discovered and dismantled an illegal gun factory in Shangev Tiev village in Konshisha LGA of the state.

Sewuese Anene, the police spokesperson in Benue, told TheCable on Wednesday that operatives also recovered one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, various ammunition, gas cylinders, and other manufacturing gadgets during the raid.

Anene said the illegal arms factory was dismantled at about 4pm on Wednesday by operatives of the tactical unit, following credible intelligence.

The police spokesperson, who reiterated the command’s commitment to reducing illegal arms in Benue, added that efforts are in place to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

“The suspects took to their heels on sighting the police,” Anene said.

On January 14, the police discovered two gun-manufacturing factories in the Guma and Kwande LGAs of the state.

However, there has been an uptick in gunmen attacks in several LGAs of the state.

On Tuesday, many persons were reported killed after gunmen attacked the Otobi community, Akpa district, in the Otukpo LGA of the state.

On April 10, unidentified gunmen killed no fewer than three persons in the Mbasombo community of the Gwer east LGA of the state.

On March 10, 13 people, including women and children, were reportedly killed in an attack by suspected herdsmen on Katsina Ala LGA of the state.