Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have smashed the production of local rifles and pistols by some unscrupulous elements in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In another development, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Plateau State has arrested a fake medical doctor operating in the state.

In a statement issued yesterday, the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, said the criminal attempt was foiled through a tip-off and the NSCDC Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation which were under Surveillance and Monitoring (DII-SM), and swung into action to apprehend the suspects.

He said: Acting on a top off that, a group of individuals were manufacturing semi-automatic rifles and pistols at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium area in Abuja, while the DII-SM acted based on credible intelligence and the seven suspects were caught in the act.”

The names of the suspects he said are: Amos Iyawo, 29; Jonah Mannaseh, 27; Ezekiel Nannim, 20; Naifa Pando, 26; Euphemia Peter, 26; Faith Gadang (F) and Philemon Karam (F) 26.

He noted that: “From the confessional statements volunteered by the suspects, we gathered that Amos Iyawo is the leader of the team and that he recruited others to participate as manufacturers of the rifles.

“He further told us that none of the rifles or pistols has been sold out as the production just commenced.”

He said during interrogations, the suspect confessed that he found the locally made pistol while on operations with the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) at Durumi in Abuja.

Afolabi said the DII-SM recovered five already fabricated rifles, one pistol, one unfinished rifle, seven empty cartridges, two boots, rods, welding machine, filling machine, two searchlight, three pliers, shovel, cutlass and axes, hunters ID card and belt from the suspects, and all exhibits with the suspects would be handed over to the Nigerian Police for further investigation and possible prosecution because the Nigerian Police have the prosecutorial mandate in cases of proliferation of small arms and ammunition, illegal possession of arms and ammunition, and unauthorised production of same.

The spokesman said: “Let me at this point intimate to the public that the security agencies across the country are strongly in scientific collaborations to salvage the country from the hands of criminal-minded persons.”

The NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has also given a marching order to all zonal commanders, state commandants and heads of formations on the need for prompt intelligence gathering which remains the bedrock of any security organisation.

Audi hinted that the eagle eyes of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad and CG’s Mining Marshall newly commissioned by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Tunji Olubunmi-Ojo, would be all out to frustrate and combat all acts of crude oil theft, illegal dealings in petroleum products, illegal mining, vandalism of public utilities among others across the country at large

He also urged the public to continue to have confidence in the Corps and other security agencies by giving actionable intelligence and credible information that would lead to the arrests of those sabotaging the efforts of the federal government in actualising the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Plateau State has arrested a fake medical doctor operating in the state.

A statement jointly signed by state Chairman of NMA, Dr. Bapigaan William Audu, and state Public Relations Officer of the association, Dr. Istifanus Bintum Bako, stated that the arrest was in collaboration with the Plateau State Ministry of Health.

The statement reads: “This is to inform our esteemed members and the public that NMA Plateau State in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health has facilitated the discreet investigation and subsequent arrest of another fake doctor carrying out nefarious activities in schools and worship centres across the state.

“The impostor, who goes by the names George Ossai and Kelvin Paul, was arrested on March 18, 2024m within Jos metropolis and was transferred to the state CID, Police headquarters in Jos the next day.”

The statement added that the NMA chairman has given a statement to the police regarding the matter while further investigations are ongoing.

The NMA called on members of the public to report any suspected fake doctor to the NMA in Plateau State via any of its officials or phone number it published.

It said: “Complaints can also be made to the Inspectorate Unit within the state Ministry of Health headquarters, Plateau State Secretariat in Jos.

While commending security agencies for their cooperation, the association enjoined the public to always seek the services of health professionals within the confines of a health facility (clinic, hospital or medical centre) rather than engaging anyone selling ‘medicines’ or claiming to be a medical doctor.

The association officials assured the people that NMA shall continue to assist the government and citizens in delivering an efficient healthcare delivery system in order to safeguard the health of Nigerians, and check the activities of these unscrupulous elements hiding under the guise of health to defraud the unsuspecting public and tarnish the nobility, integrity and professional excellence of the medical profession and doctors. (THISDAY)

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