The Benue State Police Command has dismantled two underground firearm manufacturing factories in Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area, in a major operation aimed at disrupting the supply of illicit weapons across the state and the North-Central region. The tactical raids, carried out on July 29, 2026, by the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit, were confirmed by Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Makurdi on Friday, July 31.
Acting on credible intelligence, officers targeted two separate locations. At the first site, they arrested one primary suspect and recovered two locally fabricated AK-47 assault rifles along with specialised manufacturing tools, equipment and raw materials. Moving to the second location, the team apprehended a second suspect and recovered five locally fabricated English pistols, effectively shutting down both illegal production facilities.
The second suspect has been identified as 20-year-old Joro Jakata from Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. A search of his person yielded 115 rounds of live 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition. His motorcycle was impounded and he has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Makurdi. An active manhunt is underway for a fleeing accomplice.
The breakthrough came just one day after police intercepted a major illegal ammunition delivery in the state. CP Nwadiogbu noted that recent operations have also led to the arrest of suspected gun runners, the foiling of a fake kidnapping plot and the recovery of other lethal weapons and live ammunition.
