Police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested two men suspected of illegally fabricating firearms and producing food items allegedly laced with narcotics.The suspects, identified as Marsodi John and Koabasi Marsodi, both from Uya Oron in Oron Local Government Area, were arrested during an operation carried out under the state police command’s “Operation Zero Black Spots” initiative.
In a statement issued in Uyo, the Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, said the operation followed intelligence reports that snacks suspected to be mixed with cannabis were being produced and distributed from the location. According to the police, a raid on the premises revealed that the facility was allegedly being used both for producing the snacks and as a workshop for illegal arms fabrication.
Items recovered during the operation included refilled cartridges, empty cartridges, a bag of gunpowder, pellets used for refilling ammunition, and various tools such as filing, cutting and drilling machines believed to be used in weapon fabrication.
Officers also recovered packets of chin-chin suspected to be mixed with cannabis, military-style clothing items, a laptop computer and other materials. Police also reported finding three live turtles, which investigators said are suspected to be linked to ritual practices, although this claim has not been independently verified.
Preliminary investigations indicate that Koabasi Marsodi, described by police as a graduate of Animal Science from the University of Uyo, is suspected to have operated the facility. The suspects remain in police custody while investigations continue to identify and arrest other individuals who may be connected to the alleged activities.
