Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) have raided a gun manufacturing syndicate in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
This was disclosed on Friday in a statement by the Army Headquarters on its verified X handle.
According to the statement, the raid led to the arrest of “a wanted gunrunner, Napoleon John, who has been on the wanted list of OPSH” as well as the recovery of several weapons.
The statement noted that as a result of his arrest, “the suspect who confessed to the crime led troops to a concealed factory where arms of different caliber were sold by another miscreant identified as Monday Dunia, who confessed to having been in the business for more than five years, fueling the crisis in Kaduna and neighboring Plateau States.”
The statement reads, “In line with Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Armoured Division, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar’s resolve to deal decisively with sponsors and perpetrators of crime as well as mopping up illegal weapons in the OPSH Joint Operations Area, troops have uncovered a gun manufacturing factory in Kafanchan, Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“The discovery followed a week-long intelligence operation that finally led to the capture of a wanted gunrunner, Napoleon John, who has been on the wanted list of OPSH.
“The suspect who confessed to the crime led troops to a concealed factory where arms of different caliber were sold by another miscreant identified as Monday Dunia, who confessed to having been in the business for more than five years, fueling the crisis in Kaduna and neighboring Plateau States.
“A thorough search of the factory led to the recovery of 22 different weapons, including 7 pistols, 2 locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, 2 military-grade AK-47 rifles, and 9 revolvers. Others include one submachine gun, rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, machine tools, and a gas cylinder.
“In a follow-on operation by midnight of yesterday up until the early hours of today, September 22, 2023, troops raided another hideout in Adua 1 village in Kafanchan and captured additional 2 x AK-47 rifles, 2 x revolver rifles, live rounds of 9mm and 7.62mm ammunition, 6 x dangerous daggers, 1 x hacker axe, several empty cases of 7.62mm special rounds, 2 mobile phones, one fragmental jacket, 2 police uniforms, one military camouflage trousers, one ammunition magazine carrier, one pistol holster, one military grade camel pouch, one police combat helmet, 2 masks, 4 identity cards, gunpowder, shrapnels, charms, and amulets.
“Also recovered were machine tools and other equipment. The major kingpin (name withheld) is still on the run but will soon be apprehended.
“While commending troops for their doggedness and resilience, the GOC/Commander OPSH also vowed to ensure all fleeing syndicate members were arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law. He warned sponsors and perpetrators of crimes to immediately abandon their evil ways and embrace lawful means of livelihood.
“General AE Abubakar also thanked the general public for their unwavering support in the fight against criminality and urged them not to relent in furnishing the troops with actionable information. He further assured that information would be treated with the utmost secrecy and confidentiality.
“Recall that the GOC/Commander OPSH issued a stern warning to criminals during a stakeholders’ engagement with traditional and religious leaders on September 10, 2023, held at Zangon Kataf.”
