How Soldiers Arrested Gun Factory Operator In Niger

Capt. Charles Ekeocha, Public Relations Officer of the 102 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army, on Tuesday said it arrested a 72-year-old man (namewithheld), for allegedly operating a gun factory in Niger State. Speaking to journalists in Suleja, Ekeocha, said the gun factory was discovered by men of the brigade while on cordon and search operations in Paiko and Kache areas of the state. He said 44 Dane guns, three pistols and different tools for fabrication of guns and assorted weapons were recovered from the suspect. "Initial preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect still have three more local guns factories located within Gwagwalada and Bwari areas of FCT" Ekeocha said. "The septuagenarian and exhibits will be handed over to the Department of State Security (DSS) for further investigation and prosecution". The spokesman pleaded with residents to give useful information to security agencies to help them in eradicating crime from the society. The suspect, who spoke through an interpreter, confessed that he had been in the business for close to 45 years, adding that he sells the guns between the range of three thousand to five thousand naira. The suspect said that he sells the products to mostly hunters and vigilance group members, although his license to operate had expired. "I sell my guns to anybody who comes around; if I get out of this, I will not go back to the business" the suspect said.