The 102 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army said Tuesday that it arrested the septuagenarian (name withheld), for allegedly operating a gun factory.The 72 year old man has told how he sells guns to anybody who comes to buy the dangerous weapons from him.
The suspect, who spoke through an interpreter, said he had been in the trade for close to 45 years.
Public Relations Officer of the brigade, Capt. Charles Ekeocha, who briefed journalists in Suleja said men of the brigade discovered the factory while on `cordon and search’ operations in Paiko and Kache areas in Niger State.
The spokesman said items recovered from the suspect included 44 Dane guns, three pistols and different tools for fabrication of guns and assorted weapons.
“Initial preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect still have three more local guns factories located within Gwagwalada and Bwari areas of FCT.
“The septuagenarian and exhibits will be handed over to the Department of State Security (DSS) for further investigation and prosecution,” he said.
Ekeocha appealed to members of the public to give useful information to s security agencies to assist them in stamping out crime and undesirable elements from the society.
He said he sold the guns for prices ranging from three thousand naira to five thousand naira to his customers, especially hunters and vigilance group members.
Asked whether he had a license to operate the gun factory, he said it 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,” he promised.