The Benue State Police Command has arrested 15 suspects who specialised in the training of teenagers in arms production.
The arrest was made at the syndicate’s factory located along Adikpo-Vandeikya Road in the State, where arms, a sienna space bus, among other items, were recovered from the suspects.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Catherine Anene, who disclosed this in a statement, said the suspects were arrested alongside the teenage trainees of less than 13 years of age at the training ground.
The PPRO explained that following information gathered about arm dealers in the State, Police detectives were deployed to the area to clamp down on the syndicate.
According to her, “On the 15/11/2023 at about 1620hrs, the team busted their hideout and arrested one Fater Terkula Sunday and Jem Demesugh and on the spot search of the hideout led to the recovery of six (6) locally fabricated barretta pistols and a motorcycle.”
She said that upon interrogation, the suspects confessed that they had been in the business of producing and selling arms as well as training teenagers on arms manufacturing.
“Further investigation also led to the arrest of Ternenge Kpamngu, Terkula Ihyungwa also known as Japan, Aondo Kusugh, Chukwudi Udeh and nine others. Additional exhibits recovered from them include; one locally made barretta pistol, two gas cylinders, one welding cylinder, two welding nozzles and a Sienna bus,” the PPRO added.
