The 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army has apprehended eight members of a family for operating a weapon manufacturing facility in Delta State.
Brigadier General Ugochukwu Unachukwu, the Commander of the 63 Brigade, disclosed this during a press briefing at the unlawful arms factory situated in Onicha Olona, within Aniocha North Local Government Area.
Among those arrested were eight suspects involved in the family-run enterprise, including the orchestrator, his parents, and sister. The factory, nestled within a forest, boasted surveillance capabilities, a remote-connected generator, a furnace for metal melting, and a stockpile of arms and ammunition. Its production capacity stood at 10 guns per week.
Unachukwu highlighted that the army had seized materials used for crafting improvised explosive devices (IEDs), such as shrapnel, detonators, and containers.
The Brigadier General emphasized that the suspects’ activities significantly contributed to insecurity within the region and the nation at large. He pointed out that only IPOB and the Eastern Security Network were known to utilize IEDs and even drones in the area.
Furthermore, Unachukwu revealed that the prime suspect, 22-year-old Emmanuel Eboka, confessed to leasing some of the arms to criminal elements.
In their defense, Mr. and Mrs. Eboka admitted to being aware of their son’s illicit activities but denied any knowledge of his involvement in supplying arms and ammunition to criminals.
Mr. Eboka stated, “My son said I should vacate his vicinity, as he was uncomfortable with my presence on his premises, which led me to relocate to this secluded area in the forest.”
