Operatives of the Yobe State Police Command have uncovered an illegal firearms fabrication site in Potiskum and arrested seven suspects.

This is contained in a statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, on Wednesday in Damaturu, the state capital.

Abdulkarim said operatives of the Potiskum Area Command, in collaboration with the Divisional Police Headquarters, carried out a coordinated raid following credible intelligence. 

He stated that police operatives mobilised to a blacksmith workshop located at Tasha Adua along Danchuwa Road, Potiskum.

According to him, during the operation, seven suspects were arrested, two fabricated pistols were recovered, twenty-four muzzle pipes, nine gun butts, four unserviceable Dane guns, one filing machine and one sharp cutlass.

“The suspects are currently undergoing thorough investigation with a view to identifying their collaborators, possible buyers, and the intended use of the fabricated firearms,” he said.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Usman Jibrin, has directed officers handling the case to intensify investigation, identify other illegal firearms fabrication centres within the area, and assess the level of security threat posed by such criminal activities. 

The command further advised members of the public to refrain from allowing their premises or facilities to be used for unlawful activities, including the fabrication of dangerous weapons. 

He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station or other security agencies.

Aggrieved protesters of the Oyo abduction incident on Wednesday exchanged words with operatives of the Nigeria police in Ibadan, the state capital.

In the heated argument, the visibly distressed protesters shouted at the police personnel that they could not calm down when their children were being held in the bush by kidnappers.

The protesters demanded unconditional release of the victims, challenging the police officers to go after the kidnappers.

“How can you be telling me to talk to you calmly while our children are still inside the bush with kidnappers?

“A teacher was beheaded? I am a citizen of this country. I have the right to shout.

“You are asking me to talk to you calmly? For what? You don’t know your job? You should have gone to the bush and bring the victims back alive,” one of the protesters fumed.

A member of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, has surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region, the insurgent, identified as Bakaka Bukar, surrendered to troops at the Forward Operating Base, FOB, Mairari at about 6:00 p.m. on June 1.

Zagazola stated that the surrendered fighter handed over one AK-47 rifle and expressed his willingness to renounce insurgency and embrace peaceful coexistence with society.

He added that preliminary investigations revealed that Bukar escaped from the Arinna Maimasalaci enclave, an ISWAP stronghold reportedly under the leadership of a terrorist commander identified as Abu Salim.

The security expert noted that the surrender was part of the ongoing successes being recorded through sustained counter-insurgency operations and increasing pressure on terrorist enclaves across the North-East.

According to him, following initial screening and documentation, the former insurgent was transported by military authorities to the Bulunkutu Rehabilitation Centre in Maiduguri for participation in the Federal Government’s deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme.

“The recent military offensives, combined with sustained air and ground operations, have continued to weaken terrorist networks and encourage defections among insurgent ranks.

“The security situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, while troops maintain high morale and operational effectiveness in ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace in the region,” he said.