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A local AK-47 fabrication factory has been uncovered by the police in Jos
…. ‘Governor’s security adviser’s killers traced him to a restaurant’
Two suspects belived to be behind the factory were paraded.
Seventy nine others, suspected to be kidnappers, bandits, armed robbers, gun runners, and producers of fake number plates were also paraded by the police.
The police also yesterday said the killers of Mr. Christopher Dega, a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), who was Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom’s security adviser, traced him to a restaurant in Jos, Plateau State where he was killed.
The names of the weapon fabricators were given as Joe Michael and Iliya Bulus.
Force spokesman Frank Mba told reporters that the suspects were arrested by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and Special Tactical Squad (STS) in various places across the country.
Mba, a commissioner of Police, expressed concern that the locally-fabricated AK-47 was fast becoming the weapon of choice for criminals. He said the development portends a great danger to the security of the nation.
Mba described the Jos- fabricated Ak-47 as a masterpiece that would require extra knowledge of an expert to differentiate it from the ones made in Europe.
He said during the raid on the factory, 20 pieces of the gun were recovered by the operatives, who for a long time, were on the trail of the suspects.
The spokesman said: “If you look at these weapons locally-fabricated by the suspects, there is no difference from others imported. Unless you are trained, you will not be able to spot the difference. They use the same magazines.
“We will follow up to track down those behind this, we will continue to deepen our intelligence, and continue to work with other sister security agencies to check the proliferation of illegal arms in the country.”
One of the fabricators, Michael, who attended a technical college in Jos, told reporters that he had so far fabricated about 180 units in the last three year which he sold at N80, 000 each.
The suspect also claimed that he acquired the skill from his late boss, whose name he gave simply as James.
Three of the 79 other suspects paraded for alleged mass production and distribution of special fake number plates like those of the Presidency and diplomatic missions.
The Force spokesman said investigations had shown that the syndicate was being patronised by people of shady characters.
“These shady characters get those specialised number Plates and fix them on their vehicles to beat security checks and to enjoy unmerited privileges in the society,” Mba added.
He added that the police were in possession of the full list of persons with such fake number plates.
Also, members of a four-man gang of kidnappers that reportedly kidnapped a university teacher, Prof. Aliyu Mohammed, in Zaria, Kaduna State, were among those paraded.
Mba said the suspects were arrested at a point of the kidnapping of a Catholic priest in Kaduna State recently.
An undergraduate of the University of Jos, Plateau State, was also paraded for being the mastermind of the killing of his friend who gave him a loan of N500, 000 for his wedding.
A trans-border gun runner popularly known as “Baba Busy” was among the paraded persons He was arrested between Benin Republic and Nigeria border with a GPMG chain drive gun and 1,600 live ammunition.
The police yesterday in Jos, spoke on how AIG Dega (rtd) was killed in Jos, the capital of Plateau State.
They said Dega, who was trailed to Jos by the gunmen, was shot in the chest many times.
Dega, who hailed from Katsina Ala local government area of Benue State, was commissioner of Police in Borno and Edo states.
Plateau State Police Command spokesman ASP Obah Ogaba, said: “On 31/05/2021 at about 2030hrs, AIG Christopher Dega (Rtd) was shot dead by three yet to be identified gunmen in an isolated restaurant at Bukuru, Jos.”
According to him, from the investigation so far, it appeared that the deceased was trailed and shot.
Ogaba said the late AIG arrived Jos from Makurdi on Tuesday at about 1930hrs.
He said some suspects have been arrested, while, investigation is ongoing.
Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong expressed outrage over the killing, describing it as unfortunate and totally appalling.
He said the murder was condemnable and will not go unpunished.
Lalong, in a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, said the incident though isolated, was the handiwork of crises merchants who want to rupture the substantial peace of Plateau State and create fear in the minds of the people.
Lalong said the confirmation of arrest of some suspects by the Plateau State Police Command is an encouraging step, adding that more investigation must be carried out to get to the root of the matter by unraveling those behind this dastardly act, their motives and prevent future occurrence.
He appealed to the citizens of Plateau State to do more in being security conscious and pass relevant information to the security agencies as well as using the informal security architecture for necessary action in crime prevention and immediate response.
Ortom condemned the assassination, saying it is a huge blow to his administration and the state.
The governor, who recalled that the retired AIG was very active in retirement, lamented that he was gunned down in such a gruesome manner.
Ortom said: “Retired AIG Dega served with me here and this is someone who has retired but is not tired and was very active. So, for him to have been murdered in the manner they did, a retired AIG gunned down. This is very sad.”
The governor lamented that insecurity had bedevilled “the Northeast, Northeest and Northcentral, Southsouth, Southeast, Soutwest”, and urging security agencies to apprehend the killers.
Facts about AK-47
The AK-47 is perhaps the most widespread firearm in the world. There are an estimated 100 million AK-47s of several variations around the world, according to military.com.
It is a popular weapon among firearms enthusiasts, professional soldiers and terrorists alike.
The AK-47, officially known as the Avtomat Kalashnikova, is a gas-operated, 7.62×39mm assault rifle developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov in the aftermath of World War II.
The number 47 refers to the year it was finished. Design work on the AK-47 began in 1945.
AK-47 model weapons are also cheap in many places around the world. Military.com says AK-47s are usually much cheaper in many African countries because the demand is so high that markets are usually flooded.
The AK-47 can fire 600 rounds per minute in a fully automatic setting. The weapon uses a 7.62mm, high-velocity round that can “destroy whole areas of a body,” according to New York City trauma surgeons.
They shatter bones, tear through organs and liquefy other materials as the round tumbles through the body, often in ways that cannot be repaired.
The worldwide availability and durability of the AK-47 also make it an attractive weapon for terrorists, militias and other illegal organisations.
The AK-47 works well in every environment and will still work even if it falls into water, mud, sand or some other muck.
Britain will impose airspace restrictions and deploy armed police officers in Windsor next week as President Bola Tinubu arrives for a state visit hosted by King Charles III.
Tinubu is expected to begin the visit in the company of his wife Oluremi Tinubu on Wednesday, March 18, with a reception at Windsor Castle.
Thames Valley Police in a statement on its website on Wednesday, said it is working with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the Royal Household and other security partners.
The force said airspace restrictions over Windsor Castle, which are in place permanently throughout the year, would be extended on Wednesday, March 18, to cover the period from 7am to 11.59pm.
Chief Superintendent Adrian Hall of Thames Valley Police’s Joint Operations Unit said the air restrictions formed part of a broader security operation for the visit.
“The air restrictions are just one part of our robust security operation for the state visit of Nigerian President Tinubu next week, with many measures you will see and others you will not..
“As a force, we have a vast amount of experience in policing Royal events in Windsor and significant planning, and preparation has gone into this event,” Hall said.
He said the force would take a strong stance in enforcing the restrictions, warning that any breach would constitute a criminal offence under the Air Navigation Order and could lead to arrest.
“We will be taking a strong stance in enforcing the restrictions; anyone who breaches them will be committing a criminal offence under the Air Navigation Order and could be arrested.”
The police chief said officers with specialist capabilities, including search teams, the Mounted Section, road policing, and armed units, would be deployed across Windsor, alongside neighbourhood policing and Project Servator resources.
“We will also be deploying numerous police officers to Windsor with specialist capabilities, including our search teams, Mounted Section, Roads Policing and armed units, while our neighbourhood and Project Servator resources will also be on the ground engaging with the public,” he said.
The authorities will also deploy an extensive closed-circuit television network, hostile vehicle mitigation barriers, and other undisclosed security measures for the event.
Hall said, “We will also be using the extensive CCTV network in Windsor, Hostile Vehicle Mitigation barriers, and many other security measures that you may not be able to see to make sure the event runs safely.”
He urged members of the public to support the security operation by remaining vigilant.
“The public plays a critical role to support us so we encourage them to report any suspicious activity or anything that does not seem quite right by calling 101 or speaking to one of our officers. If there is an immediate threat or emergency, then call 999,” Hall added.
Road closures and parking restrictions will take effect from Tuesday, March 17, with possible temporary disruption to roads in and around Windsor during the visit.
Thames Valley Police said it was being supported by the Civil Aviation Authority and National Air Traffic Services to enforce the flight restrictions. Persons with legitimate reasons for drone flying were directed to email [email protected].
…dismisses appeal, awards N2m cost against party
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed an appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the October 31 judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the national convention planned for Ibadan, Oyo State on November 15 and 16 by the PDP.
In a unanimous judgment on Monday, a three-member panel of the appellate court resolved the four issues for determination against the PDP.
It held that the appeal by the PDP was without merit and that the Federal High Court was right to have entered the October 31 judgment and granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.
The Court of Appeal faulted the PDP’s claim that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to have heard the case on the grounds that issues involved were solely internal affairs of the party.
The court also held that the plaintiffs had the locus standi to have institutes the suit to protect their democratic rights and that the PDP was not denied fair hearing as it claimed in its appeal.
The court awarded N2million cost against the PDP for filing a frivolous appeal.
The court is yet to render its decisions in the remaining eight appeals, which include judgment and rulings
Opeifa maintained that derailments are not peculiar to Nigeria, noting that such incidents occur across advanced rail systems globally.
“Derailments are regular occurrences in the rail sector worldwide. In February alone, there were incidents in countries like Britain and others. Around the same time we experienced one, there were multiple derailments across the world,” he said.
He disclosed that in 2025, Nigeria recorded three major derailments:
• August 26 at Asham in Kaduna State
• November 1 at Abraka on the Warri–Itakpe line
• November 8 at Agbor on the same corridor
He said the NRC responded swiftly, restoring services within 24 hours in one case, while others were resolved within 21 and 28 days respectively.
Opeifa stressed that derailments can result from factors such as weather conditions, signal glitches, human error, speeding, or aging infrastructure, but noted that in Nigeria’s recent cases, there were no fatalities.
“These incidents are preventable and efforts are ongoing to minimize them. However, they should not be seen as major setbacks to the overall progress of the railway system,” he said.
On Allegations of Mismanagement
Addressing allegations of financial mismanagement within the corporation, Opeifa declined detailed comments, citing ongoing legal processes.
“When a matter is in court, it is sub judice. Allegations of corruption or mismanagement should be handled by the appropriate authorities,” he stated.
He reiterated that his priority is to reposition the NRC in line with global best practices and ensure efficient rail services for Nigerians.
Expansion, Upgrades and National Connectivity
The NRC boss said efforts are underway to restore damaged coaches and upgrade infrastructure using local engineers and technicians.
“We are bringing back the lines and retrofitting coaches. The Warri–Itakpe line is operational. The Abuja–Kaduna line is running, and we are increasing trips from two to three,” he said.
On long-term plans, Opeifa disclosed that the NRC roadmap envisions rail connectivity across major cities nationwide, subject to funding and phased execution.
He dismissed claims of abandoned projects, explaining that rail developments are capital-intensive and implemented in phases based on available resources.
He cited progress on the Lagos–Ibadan corridor—part of the larger Lagos–Kano project—as well as ongoing work on the Kano–Maradi line linking key northern cities.
Lagos–South-East, Port Connections in View
Opeifa also highlighted plans to expand connectivity between southern ports and inland cities. These include proposed links from Warri to Abuja and from Lekki Deep Sea Port to Kajola, Benin, Onitsha, and Aba, enabling both passenger and cargo movement.
Toward Modern Signaling and Faster Trains
On modernization, he said Nigeria is gradually upgrading from older narrow-gauge systems to standard-gauge infrastructure with improved signaling technology.
He noted that metro rail projects in Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos are being developed with higher signaling standards, positioning the country for faster and more efficient train services in the coming years.
“We are not yet at the highest global level, but we are moving steadily upward,” Opeifa said.
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