Seven In NSCDC Net For Illegal Possession Of Firearms

Seven people have been arrested by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FCT Chapter, for illegal possession of firearms and attempting to manufacture locally made rifles and pistols in the Abuja metropolis.

According to a statement by the spokesman of the agency, Babawale Afolabi, the seven were arrested following a tip-off that the group was carrying out the nefarious act at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium; hence, the NSCDC Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation, who were under surveillance and monitoring, swung into action, apprehending the suspects.

“The names of the suspects are as follows: Amos Iyawo (M) aged 29 years, Jonah Mannaseh (M) aged 27 years, Ezekiel Nannim (M) 20 years, Naifa Pando (F) 26 years, Euphemia Peter (M) 26 years, Faith Gadang (F), and Philemon Karam (F) 26 years.

“From the confessional statements volunteered by the suspects, we gathered that Amos Iyawo is the leader of the team and that he recruited others to participate as manufacturers of the rifles.”.

“He further intimated to us that none of the rifles or pistols have been sold out as the production has just commenced.”

The agency explained further that during interrogations, the suspect confessed that he found the locally made pistol while on operations with the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) at Durumi in Abuja”.

Items recovered include 5 already fabricated rifles, 1 pistol, 1 unfinished rifle, 7 empty cartridges, 2 boots, rods, a welding machine, a filling machine, 2 searchlights, 3 pliers, a shovel, cutlass, and axes, a hunter ID card, and a belt from the suspects.

All exhibits are expected to be handed over to the Nigerian Police for further investigation and possible prosecution, the statement notes.

Meanwhile, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Audi, has given a marching order to all Zonal Commanders, State Commandants, and heads of formations on the need for prompt intelligence gathering for effective operations.

Dr. Audi hinted that the eagle eyes of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad and the CG’s Mining Marshal would be all out to frustrate and combat all acts of crude oil theft, illegal dealings in petroleum products, illegal mining, and vandalism of public infrastructure, among others.

Audi urged the public to continue to have confidence in the Corps and other security agencies by giving actionable intelligence and credible information that would lead to the arrests of those sabotaging the efforts of the Federal Government in actualizing the Renewed Hope agenda.