The Yobe State Police Command has uncovered an illegal firearms fabrication workshop in the Potiskum Local Government Area and arrested seven suspected gunmakers. The command stated that the suspects were apprehended during a raid on a blacksmith workshop at Tasha Adua along Danchuwa Road in Potiskum on Monday. This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim. The statement read, “The Yobe State Police Command has recorded another significant breakthrough in its sustained efforts to combat crime and criminality across the state,”

According to the statement, operatives of the Potiskum Area Command, working in collaboration with officers from the Divisional Police Headquarters, carried out the operation following intelligence regarding the alleged illegal fabrication of firearms in the area. Abdulkarim noted that the suspects were arrested while several exhibits were recovered from the workshop. The recovered items included two fabricated pistols, 24 muzzle pipes, nine gun butts, four unserviceable Dane guns, a filing machine, and a cutlass.

The police spokesperson explained the genesis of the raid. Abdulkarim said, “The operation was carried out following credible intelligence on the activities of some blacksmiths engaged in the illegal fabrication of firearms,” He added that the suspects are currently in custody and undergoing thorough investigation to identify possible collaborators, buyers, and the intended use of the weapons.

Furthermore, Abdulkarim stated that the Commissioner of Police, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, has ordered an expanded investigation to identify other illegal firearms fabrication centres and assess the security threat posed by such activities across the state. The police boss also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies to help maintain peace.