Enugu State Police Command has arrested one Cyprian Eze, 69, a notorious gun manufacturer for allegedly fabricating and supplying firearms to criminals in Enugu state.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state, SP Ebere Amaraizu and released to Newsmen on Tuesday that the suspect was tracked down and arrested on Monday.
According to The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) Amarizu said the command recovered from the suspect, one locally-made double barrel pistol, four cut-to-size locally-made guns, six short barrel guns and various gun parts ready to be assembled.
The command also recovered 10 live cartridges, 13 expended cartridges, an electric welding machine, gas cylinders, drilling machines and clamps, amongst others.
The CPRO said that the feat was achieved by personnel of Operation Puff Adder and Anti-Cultism Squad of the command.
The police spokesman noted that the operatives acted on well-gathered and well-coordinated intelligence.
He said that the suspect is a cripple from Umuabi community in Udi Local Government Area of the state.
“He has been allegedly manufacturing firearms which he usually supplies to armed robbers and cultists in the state.
“Suspect also confessed how he manufactured arms and supplied to suspected armed robbers and groups of cultists. The suspect is now helping police operatives in their investigation,’’ he said.
Amaraizu equally stated that Mr Sulaiman Balarabe, the state Commissioner of Police had commended the efforts of the operatives and directed full-scale investigation and diligent prosecutions of the suspect.
He noted that based on the expiration of the ultimatum given for submission of unlicensed firearms to the nearest police station, a committee from the Operation Puff Adder had been set up to commence enforcement on the ban.
