Uyo Graduate Nabbed in Police Raid on Illegal Arms and Narcotics Production Hub!
Reported by Mustapha Omolabake Omowumi (Journalist) | Sele Media Africa
In a major intelligence-driven operation in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the Nigeria Police Force has apprehended a university graduate allegedly operating an illegal arms fabrication and narcotics production facility. The suspect, identified as Koabasi Marsodi, a graduate of Animal Science from the University of Uyo, was arrested late Sunday night in a coordinated raid that underscores the ongoing commitment of security agencies to dismantle clandestine criminal networks in the South-South region.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, confirmed that operatives acted on credible intelligence to carry out the operation at approximately 9:00 p.m. on March 15, 2026. The raid targeted a suspected hideout at Idem Street, off Itu Road, which authorities say was functioning both as an illicit food-drug production site and a covert workshop for constructing and modifying firearms.
Intelligence-led Raid Uncovers Dual Criminal Enterprise
Police sources stated that initial intelligence suggested the manufacture and distribution of narcotic-laced chin-chin from the premises. However, upon storming the location, officers discovered a more complex criminal operation involving illegal modification and fabrication of firearms and ammunition.
Marsodi reportedly admitted during preliminary questioning to producing chin-chin laced with Indian hemp and engaging in illegal firearm construction and modification. According to the police, his operation included cutting long guns into smaller, concealable weapons, a tactic frequently associated with armed criminal groups.
Items Recovered Highlight the Scope of Operations
Police recovered a wide array of materials from the site, indicating the dual nature of the criminal enterprise. Seized items include:
Eight refilled cartridges and six expended cartridges
A bag of gunpowder, refilling pellets, and striking pins
A rifle butt and assorted metalworking and weapon fabrication tools
Drilling machines, cutting equipment, filing stones, and saws
Substances suspected to be Indian hemp and packets of laced chin-chin
Two pairs of black military boots, belts, and a jacket, possibly to mimic or repurpose tactical gear
The combination of narcotics and weapons-related materials recovered highlights the intersection of drug trafficking and illegal arms manufacturing, a nexus that represents a significant threat to public safety and regional security.
Police Statement and Security Implications
State Police Commissioner Baba Mohammed Azare affirmed the command’s resolve to intensify intelligence-led operations against criminal infrastructure, including arms fabrication and drug production facilities. He warned that the crackdown on offenders would continue and urged the public to provide actionable intelligence to aid law enforcement.
Security analysts caution that if such illegal facilities are allowed to operate unchecked, they can exacerbate regional instability. Past police operations have successfully dismantled illicit gun manufacturing networks and intercepted unregulated weapons, preventing their circulation into criminal syndicates or armed groups.
Investigation and Network Probes Ongoing
Following Marsodi’s arrest, the Akwa Ibom Police Command stated that investigations remain ongoing. Authorities are working to identify and apprehend additional individuals connected to the network. The case underscores the critical role of community intelligence in enabling targeted law enforcement responses against complex criminal operations blending narcotics and illegal arms.
As the inquiry continues, the operation serves as a reminder of the persistent threats posed by clandestine criminal networks and the importance of cross-agency collaboration and intelligence-driven policing to safeguard communities.
Sources
Police arrest graduate for running illegal arms factory in Uyo, Punch Nigeria (March 16, 2026)
Police arrest varsity graduate over illegal arms factory in Uyo, The Witness Nigeria (March 16, 2026)
Context on illegal arms fabrication in Akwa Ibom region, Matrix Newspaper archive (October 2025)
Author
Mustapha Labake Omowumi is a journalist from Ibadan, Oyo State, and a graduate of the Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Economics and Mathematics. He demonstrates a strong commitment to professional journalism, with a keen interest in writing and storytelling, guided by principles of self-discipline, accuracy, and trustworthiness.
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