The Benue State Police Command has taken three individuals into custody following the discovery of an illegal firearm production site in Kwande Local Government Area. Authorities confiscated two homemade AK-47 rifles, five handguns, and various manufacturing equipment.
This operation was executed by the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) acting on reliable intelligence regarding a criminal syndicate based in Adikpo. DSP Orchia Aondogwu, the police spokesperson, confirmed that the initial raid occurred on July 29, 2026, leading to the capture of two suspects and the seizure of one AK-47 rifle alongside production tools.
A subsequent search of a second location resulted in the recovery of five pistols and the arrest of a third individual. By the early hours of July 31, 2026, police successfully retrieved a second AK-47 rifle from one of the detained suspects. The suspects and the seized weapons remain in police custody as investigations continue to uncover further members of the illegal network.
State Commissioner of Police Cletus C. Nwadiogwu praised the VCRU for their effective intelligence-led approach. He reaffirmed the police force’s dedication to eradicating the illegal manufacture and distribution of weapons within Benue. The Command also requested that local residents continue to report suspicious activities to assist in maintaining public safety.
