The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a welder identified as Andy Giwa for allegedly being in possession of a locally fabricated pistol in Uso, Owo Local Government Area of the state.
The command said the arrest followed credible intelligence received on September 11, 2026, that the suspect was allegedly working on a firearm at his workshop located on Imogun Street, Uso.
Police operatives attached to the Uso Division reportedly moved to the location and recovered a locally fabricated pistol during the operation.
According to the command, the suspect was immediately arrested and taken into custody for interrogation.
During preliminary questioning, Giwa allegedly told investigators that the firearm belonged to another individual who is currently at large and whose identity has not yet been established.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, said efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend the alleged owner of the weapon, while investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding its possession, manufacture and intended use.
The Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive investigation.
Jimoh said the investigation would seek to establish the source of the firearm, its intended purpose and whether other persons were connected to the case.
Ohagwu commended the citizen whose information led to the arrest and recovery, describing public cooperation as vital to crime prevention and security.
He urged residents to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies, assuring that the identities of informants would be protected.
The commissioner reiterated the command’s commitment to curbing the proliferation of illegal firearms and maintaining public safety across the state through intelligence-driven policing and proactive operations.