Police in Ondo State have arrested a suspected welder, Andy Giwa, after recovering a locally fabricated pistol from his workshop in Uso, Owo Local Government Area.
Giwa, a resident of Imogun Street, Uso, was arrested on Friday following information received by the police that he was allegedly working on a pistol at his workshop.
Operatives attached to the Uso Police Division subsequently moved to the workshop, where they recovered the firearm and took the suspect into custody.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Abahomi Jimoh, disclosed the arrest, saying the suspect was apprehended based on what the command described as credible intelligence.
During preliminary interrogation, Giwa allegedly told investigators that the firearm belonged to another man whose identity had not yet been established.
According to Jimoh, the alleged owner of the pistol was currently at large, prompting the police to intensify efforts to identify and apprehend him.
Investigators are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the possession and manufacture of the firearm, as well as its intended purpose.
Jimoh said the command had directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet and comprehensive investigation.
The SCID investigation will also seek to determine the source and purpose of the locally fabricated pistol and establish whether other individuals were involved in the matter.
Ondo State Police Command commended the citizen whose information led to the recovery and arrest, stressing that timely and credible intelligence remained essential to preventing crime and protecting lives and property.
The command also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, movements, activities or possession of firearms to the nearest police formation.
Police assured residents that the identities of informants would be protected.
