Three arrested as police bust illegal firearms factory, recover AK-47 rifles, pistols in Benue

The Benue State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with  illegal firearms manufacturing and recovered two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, five locally fabricated pistols, and several tools and accessories used for the manufacture of firearms in Kwande Local Government Area of the State.

The operation was carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following credible intelligence on the activities of the suspected illegal arms manufacturing syndicate operating in Adikpo, Kwande LGA.

This was contained in statement by the Spokesman of the Benue State Police Command (DSP ) Orchia Aondogwu.

He said on 29 July, 2026, at about 0120hrs, operatives of the VCRU raided two suspected illegal firearms manufacturing locations in Adikpo and two suspects were arrested.

Aondogwu said one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle was recovered from the first suspect, together with tools and accessories suspected to be used for the manufacture of firearms.

“At the second location, five locally fabricated English pistols were recovered. A third suspect was later arrested in connection with the illegal firearms manufacturing activities.”

According to him, following the arrests and further investigation, operatives of the VCRU, in the early hours of today, 31 July 2026, at about 0520hrs, recovered an additional locally fabricated AK-47 rifle from one of the suspects earlier arrested.

Aondogwu said the latest recovery brings the total number of firearms recovered in connection with the operation to two locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and five locally fabricated pistols, while three suspects have so far been arrested.

He said the suspects and recovered exhibits are currently in the custody of the VCRU, where investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of their activities and identify other persons connected to the illegal arms manufacturing network.

Aondogwu said the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus C. Nwadiogwu commends the operatives of the VCRU for their sustained intelligence-led operations and reiterates the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks involved in the manufacture, distribution and proliferation of illegal firearms in the State.

The Command urges members of the public to continue providing credible information that will assist the Police in identifying and apprehending persons involved in criminal activities.