Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Akwa Ibom State have arrested a graduate of Animal Science from the University of Uyo for allegedly operating an illegal arms fabrication facility in Uyo.
The suspect, identified as Koabasi Marsodi, was reportedly apprehended during a raid carried out on Sunday night at a suspected criminal hideout located on Idem Street, off Itu Road, in Uyo.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by Timfon John, the command’s Public Relations Officer.
According to the statement, the operation formed part of a wider crackdown targeting criminal hideouts, illegal arms production centres and drug distribution networks across the state.
The statement read, “On March 15, 2026, at about 2100 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 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.”
Police said preliminary investigations showed that the suspect allegedly operated the facility and confessed to producing narcotic-laced chin-chin while also engaging in the illegal modification and fabrication of firearms.
Investigators said the suspect admitted to cutting long guns into smaller, concealable weapons.
Items reportedly recovered from the premises include eight refilled cartridges, six expended cartridges, a bag of gunpowder, refilling pellets, striking pins and a rifle butt.
Other items recovered include drilling, filing and cutting machines believed to have been used for weapon fabrication, as well as cutting stones, assorted saws and two machetes.
Police also recovered substances suspected to be Indian hemp, packets of chin-chin allegedly laced with the substance, and two pairs of black military boots, belts and a jacket.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing to track down other individuals linked to the criminal network mentioned during interrogation.
Meanwhile, Baba Mohammed Azare, the commissioner of police in the state reaffirmed the command’s determination to dismantle criminal operations involved in illegal arms production and drug distribution.
He warned that individuals engaged in activities threatening public safety would face the full force of the law, adding that intelligence-driven operations would continue across identified crime hotspots in the state.
