In an efforts to tackle insecurity in the state, the Police in Ebonyi State has arrested two manufacturers of locally made rifles and 32 others for various offences in the State.

The two suspects specialize in manufacturing, fabricating and sales of locally made firearms such as AK-47, AK-49 and pistols of different kinds.

The police also recovered 24 riffles with over 1000 ammunition and rescued 4 abducted victims.

The manufacturers of locally made rifles, identified as Udoka Chukwu and Obaji Benjamin, according to the Police, confessed to having inherited the talent from their late fathers, who were goldsmith and blacksmith, respectively.

Mr Obaji Benjamin, who is an ex-Nigeria Air force personnel, claimed to have retired from the force to enable him to take care of his aged and ailing parents, but Police said he was a deserter from the Force, from its investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State, CP Aliyu Garba, while parading the suspect on Wednesday evening, explained that the men of Safer Highway Patrol on stop and search duty at Nkalagu/Enugu boundary, intercepted Benjamin Obaji and two men on a motorcycle on 9th August 2021.

“On searching the suspects, the following arms and ammunition were recovered from the bag in possession of the 1st suspect: One (1) locally made AK-47, Five (5) AK-47 live ammunition and Six (6) expended shells of berretta pistol,” CP Garba added.

The Police Commissioner further disclosed that Udoka Chukwu and two others were arrested on the 24th August 2021, by operatives of the Command attached to Ohafia Agba in Ishielu Local Government Area of the State.