By Ngozi Uwujare
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command made a breakthrough when it arrested 47-year-old Philip John and members of his syndicate, who engaged in fabricating firearms at Shenagu village near Zuba in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abubakar Sodiq Bello who made the disclosure told Sunday Sun that the operatives of the Special Armed Robbery Squad (SARS) trailed the criminals for two weeks before they were rounded up on September 20, 2017 at gang’s arms fabrication factory.
Bello explained further that on September 20, 2017, SARS operatives raided the factory and arrested the owner of the illegal facility, Philip John. They also arrested the alleged chief distributor of the firearms, Onyegabueze Okpara as well as Joseph Bulus, who was alleged to be responsible for distributing the guns in different states.
He stated that they recovered 385 live 12-caliber cartridges, 58 empty cartridge shell, locally fabricated, double barrel firearms, single barrel firearm, gun muzzle, Dane gun hammer, motor drill and locally fabricated revolver pistol cylinder.
In a chat with Sunday Sun, the suspect, Philip John said that he had been engaged in illegal fabrication of firearms for 17 years. He said further: “I sold fabricated single barrel guns to clients at N20,000 while each of the dane gun cost N10,000. I also service and repair malfunctioning guns brought to me by my clients. I do supply to Okpara, who would sell the guns.”
Another suspect, Okpara, who also spoke with Sunday Sun revealed his method of operation that enabled him to cover his tracks until nemesis caught up with him. He said: “I was arrested at Kwaita market where I disguised my operations by selling bicycle spare-parts. I started the illicit trade in arms in 1997. I usually sold a pack containing 25 pieces of live cartridge for N12,000 while a single cartridge would go for N500. I got my supply of cartridges from Onitsha.”
The breakthrough for the police began when SARS operatives on stop and search operation stopped a tricycle after observing a suspicious action by the occupants at Dantata Bridge, Jabi. The tricycle was heading to Kabusa. They then proceeded to conduct a search. In the process, they recovered a Bereta pistol and round of live ammunition, a revolver pistol, one locally made pistol from 29-year-old Benjamin Jatau, an ex-convict.
In the course of interrogation, Jatau confessed that the guns which he bought at N50,000 was to be used for a major robbery operation around Kabusa and environs.
In the course investigation, following the discovery of the arms fabrication centre, the police commissioner said that the chiefs of Shenagu Tungan, Malam Hassan was questioned and urged to assist the command in its quest to stamp out criminality from the area. The police boss solicited the help of other traditional rulers in the battle against criminals in their communities. He said that the suspects would soon be charged to court.