Nigerian police have apprehended a 39-year-old suspected illicit firearm repairer and six other individuals in a coordinated crackdown on illegal arms and cult-related violence in Enugu State.
In a statement released on Sunday, Police Public Relations Officer SP Daniel Ndukwe said the operations were carried out between 15 and 21 June under the directive of Enugu State’s Police Commissioner, Mamman Giwa. The raids resulted in the confiscation of seven firearms, spent and live cartridges, and weapon-making tools.
On 21 June, a suspect was arrested in the 9th Mile district carrying a modified double-barrelled firearm. His arrest followed a series of confessions by three earlier detainees, who admitted to being members of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity and linked the weapon to several criminal acts.
In a related raid on 17 June, police detained another young suspect following intelligence provided by a 39-year-old man previously arrested for suspected involvement in cultism and armed robbery. The man, who admitted to being part of the Black Axe cult group, allegedly confessed to repairing weapons used in criminal operations.
Recovered items included locally constructed pistols resembling Berettas, parts of foreign-made firearms, and an array of gunsmithing tools.
Additionally, raids in Nkanu West and Enugu North local government areas led to the arrest of another 39-year-old suspect and the recovery of more illegal weapons, including a locally made pistol and ammunition abandoned by fleeing individuals.
All suspects remain in custody and will be charged in court once investigations are complete.
