Police raid illegal firearms factory in A’Ibom, arrest two suspects 

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has dismantled an illegal firearms fabrication factory and apprehended two suspects.

in a targeted intelligence-led operation in the state.

A statement by the command Public Relations Ifficer DSP Timfon John said credible intelligence had indicated that Aniekan Aniedi, a 39-year-old male 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.

Timfon John said operatives of the command stormed the factory on Thursday, October 24, 2025, around 6.57pm.

“The operation led to the arrest of the primary suspect, Aniekan Aniedi, and a second individual, Ubong Udofia, a 35-year-old male, believed to be an accomplice in the illegal enterprise.

“A comprehensive search of the illicit factory yielded a significant cache of weapons, tools, and materials used in the manufacturing process.

The recovered items include three fabricated locally-made guns, five pieces of metal pipes, two iron rods, copper wires, two flat metals designed for fabricating gun butts.

“Furthermore, the following tools and machinery, central to the illegal production line, were also seized as evidence — One welding machine, one mini electric screwdriver, one electric filing machine.

“An intensive investigation is currently 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,” the Police PRO added

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Baba Mohammad Azare, commended the operatives for their swift and effective action.

He urged members of the public to continue to provide timely and credible information on suspicious activities within their communities in order to curb crime.