Men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Army and Department of State Services (DSS) swing into action in a major crackdown on illegal arms and ammunition factories in the Niger Delta region
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another significant operational breakthrough in its ongoing Operation Zero Black Spots, a strategic initiative aimed at dismantling criminal hideouts, illegal arms production centres and drug networks across the state.
According to Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Timfon John on March 15, 2026 at about 21100 hours operatives of the command, acting on credible intelligence, stormed a suspected criminal facility located at Idem Street, off Itu Road, Uyo.
The operation was carried out by operatives of the command following intelligence reports that illicit chin-chin snacks laced with Indian hemp were being produced and distributed from the location.
Upon raiding the premises, police operatives discovered that the facility was not only being used for the production of narcotic laced food items but also functioned as a clandestine arms and ammunition fabrication workshop.
During a thorough search of the premises, the following exhibits were recovered: eight (8) refilled cartridges, six (6) empty expended cartridges, one (1) bag of gunpowder, refilled pellets, a pack of striking pins, one rifle butt, filing, cutting and drilling machines used for weapon fabrication, two pairs of black military boots, belts and jackets and other incriminating items.
The statement further stated that during the operation, two suspects were arrested, namely Marsodi John (M) and Koabasi Marsodi (M) aka Five. Both suspects are indigenes of Uya Oron in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspect Inyeneobong Koabasi Marsodi, a graduate of Animal Science from the University of Uyo, allegedly operates the illegal facility. He confessed to producing narcotic laced chin-chin and engaging in the illegal fabrication and modification of firearms, including cutting long guns into shorter, concealable weapons.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare in the statement reaffirmed the command’s unwavering resolve to identify, dismantle and prosecute individuals involved in illegal arms fabrication, drug distribution and other criminal activities that threaten public safety.
The Commissioner further warned that any individual or group involved in criminal enterprises within the state should immediately desist or be prepared to face the full weight of the law, as the command will continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations across all identified black spots.
Similarly, the operatives of the Delta State Police Command have intensified crime-fighting operations across the state leading to the recovery of several locally fabricated firearms and arrest of suspected criminals. The police made this known in a statement made by the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Bright Edafe.
The statement explained that it was when operatives of the Raiders Squad of the Delta State Police Command, acting on credible intelligence, arrested a suspected illegal firearm fabricator and recovered locally manufactured guns and equipment used in the production of firearms.
According to the statement, the operation was carried out in the early hours of 06 March 2026 at about 0500hrs at Emuhu community in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State by operatives of the Raiders Squad led by the Commander Raiders Squad, SP Alkanya Agboghe.
“The team raided a suspected firearm manufacturing depot following credible intelligence. During the operation, one Ojei (Male 59) was arrested. A search of the premises led to the recovery of four locally fabricated guns. Also recovered were one welding machine, one drilling machine, one grinding machine and assorted metal pipes suspected to be used in the fabrication of firearms.
“The suspect is currently in custody, while an investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the illegal firearm production network,” said Edafe.
In a related development, troops of the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, operating under the Headquarters of 82 Division, have uncovered an illegal weapon manufacturing factory in Odonget Community, Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The discovery was made during ongoing security operations in the area following an earlier attack on soldiers responding to a distress call linked to a communal dispute.
According to the army, the operation formed part of follow-up actions launched after troops were ambushed while attempting to restore order in the community. Military operations conducted between March 12 and March 13 involved cordon-and-search missions as well as fighting patrols across identified locations to track down those responsible for the earlier attack.
During the operations on March 13, troops encountered armed criminal elements in the area, resulting in a firefight. The army said five of the attackers were neutralized while others fled the scene.
Subsequent exploitation of the area led to the discovery of an illegal arms production facility believed to have been used by criminal elements to fabricate weapons for violent activities within the locality.
Troops recovered three AK-47 rifle magazines, ten locally fabricated firearms, and a toolbox containing equipment used for weapon manufacturing. The illegal facility was later destroyed by the troops.
Tentacle gathered that the Commander of the 13 Brigade, Brigadier General Patrick Ahimie-Ikhena, who supervised the operation, commended the troops for their professionalism.
Also, the Department of State Services has arrested a suspected gunrunner and intercepted 850 rounds of stray ammunition in Cross River State, in what authorities describe as a significant breakthrough in opposition to unlawful arms trafficking.
Operatives of the DSS carried out the arrest on March 16 at Ivara Esu Estate in Odukpani Local Government Area, apprehending Kelvin Ebikeniye Dugo following intelligence-led operations.
Security sources disclosed that the operation was triggered by credible intelligence which uncovered Dugo’s plan to acquire a big cache of ammunition from one other suspected gunrunner, Azenda Barnabas, also referred to as Jagaban, primarily based in Aliade, Benue State.
Credible sources said, “The operatives intercepted Dugo moments after he received the consignment, which was concealed in food items. Recovered items included 850 rounds of ammunition and two empty AK-47 magazines.”
“The arrest verifies DSS disclosure is a part of a wider crackdown by the DSS on arms trafficking networks throughout the nation. The DSS has intensified its pursuit of such criminals, launching sustained operations across nearly all states of the Federation.”
The report added that the most recent success underscores the security agency’s ongoing dedication to tackling the proliferation of unlawful weapons.
This successful operation is one of many ongoing nationwide efforts, highlighting the DSS’ firm commitment to dismantling gunrunning syndicates and curbing illegal arms proliferation.
