The Lagos State Police Command, yesterday, paraded two blacksmiths – 21-year-old Musiliu Gbenga and 22-year-old Owolabi Azeez – who fabricate firearms for onward sales to criminals around Idata Village of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

The suspects were arrested on September 11, after the factory was invaded by the police.

Items recovered from the factory were three single-barrel locally-made pistols, one double-barrel locally-made gun, one single-barrel locally-made gun, two single-barrel locally-made long gun, 10 expended cartridges, twelve long pipes, two drilling machines, one gas cylinder, one vehicle and other fabricated tools.

The police also paraded a total of 32 suspects for their involvement in varying crimes, including adulteration of product, fabrication of firearms, armed robbery, stealing, cultism and others.

The suspects are part of the Command’s achievements in the fight against crime and criminality within Lagos State in the past one month.

During the parade, spokesperson for the Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, said a total of 25 firearms, including a toy gun, 74 live cartridges, 12 expended cartridges, 12 long pipes, two drilling machines, one gas cylinder, one vehicle, other fabricated tools, two daggers, one UTC axe, various charms and 251 adulterated wires were recovered.

“All suspects would be arraigned at the conclusion of the investigation.
“In line with the directive of acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, that all Commands mop up arms and ammunitions in the hands of non-state actors within their respective jurisdictions, the Lagos State Police Command hereby calls on all persons having illegal possession of arms and ammunition to come forward and submit them without getting arrested or prosecuted.

“Meanwhile, the Command will continue the clampdown on the illegal fabrication, sales, possession, and use of prohibited firearms in the state,” Hundeyin added.