The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a gun manufacturer in Ajah area of the state.

The alleged gun producer and his accomplices came from Benue State to deliver some arms and ammunition to some criminals in Lagos when he was apprehended.

The prime suspect, Shapraku Umade, told newsmen yesterday that this was his first time of trading in guns.

The Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, who paraded the suspects alongside 300 others for various crimes, said: “The gun manufacturer and his suppliers were arrested in Ajah when they came to deliver some arms and ammunition to some armed robbers. 

On August 8, information was received from a credible source that some arm merchants based in Adipo area of Benue were bringing arms and ammunition to Ajah to sell to some armed robbers and cultists.

“Sequel to the information, SARS operatives were mobilised to Ajah to closely monitor the area. The exercise paid off as three of the arm dealers were arrested in a hotel at Lekki, by Jakande Estate, with a shuttle bag containing two locally-made barrette pistols. The suspects are: Shapraku Umade, 19; Moses Anzuur, 19; and James Tsebee, 20.

“Umade is the blacksmith who fabricated the firearms. He acquired the skills from his late father. It was revealed that the suspect usually sells the guns to their Lagos collaborators for N30,000 each. He has been in the illicit business for the past two years.”

The suspected gun manufacturer, Umade, told newsmen that he was angry, as he has betrayed the trust his people had in him. 

“I am angry because my family is in trouble. We are four in our community contracted to be producing guns for our community. 

We produce the guns to confront Fulani herdsmen who are thorns in our flesh. We have been instructed not to sell to anyone, except our community. The chiefs will deal with my family for betraying the trust bestowed on me.