By Austin Ogwuda
BARELY one month the Military stormed a forest at Onicha-olona community in Delta North senatorial district of Delta to uncover a gun manufacturing factory run by members of a particular family, another secret armoury has been uncovered in Delta State.
The latest discovery took place in Olota community in Ughelli South local government area of the State.
Although Senator Ned Nwoko representing Delta North in the Nigerian Senate waded into the Onicha-olona incident and succeeded in securing the release of the arrested family members involved in the illegal gun factory on the ground that their ingenuity should be tapped and channelled appropriately, the scenario at Olota arm cache might be another kettle of fish.
This might be due to the proximity of Olota village to Okuama community where 17 Soldiers were killed in a gruesome manner and the quest by the Military insisting to recover the arms of the fallen soldiers.
The Army, in a statement which was posted on its Facebook page on Thursday, said its troops recovered arms and ammunition from the armoury in Olota and other locations in neighbouring communities in Ughelli South Local Government Area Delta State.
It said troops had raided the secret armoury in response to a tip-off. The armoury, according to the Nigerian Army, was concealed in the residence of the suspected gun runner identified simply as Mr Kenneth.
The Army said one G3 rifle, 853 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, and 19 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered from the armoury.
According to the statement “The operation further extended to other adjoining locations within the community, resulting in the discovery of four G3 rifles and magazines, one pump action semi-automatic gun, three sub-machine guns (SMG) and magazines, as well as 476 live cartridges,” the army said in the statement.
It added that three suspects were arrested during the operation, but did not reveal their identities.
The army explained that the operation was part of the ongoing efforts to eradicate illegal weapons in the South- south region.
“Additionally, the troops recovered five locally fabricated guns, a large plastic bag containing substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, and two speed boats with 75 horsepower outboard engines,” the army statement added.
It also said the Nigerian army remains resolute in “sanitising and mopping up illicit munitions in possession of criminals in the region as part of its efforts to ensure peace and security for residents of the region”.
The Townhall gathered that over 200 soldiers stormed Olota in three gunboats during the Thursday raid and arrested over ten persons including key community leaders in the process.
There was an allegation that they also set some buildings ablaze.
*Photo credit to Vanguard/additional report