By Unue Emeka,
Three youths from Onicha-Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State have regained their freedom after spending one year and six months in the custody of the Nigerian Army over allegations linking them to an illegal gun and drone fabrication factory.
Their release came after sustained pleas for clemency led by Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, who had consistently engaged with the Army and the Department of State Services (DSS) since the arrests in February 2024.
The youths were apprehended by operatives of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, following the discovery of what was described as a family-linked illegal security gadget workshop in Onicha-Olona.
However, speaking upon their release, one of the young men expressed profound gratitude to Senator Nwoko and the security agencies, stating that their long-standing interest in building security gadgets started as “an innate talent” developed since primary school. Their parents also affirmed that the boys had been experimenting with such devices from their early teenage years.
Senator Nwoko had earlier argued that the boys’ creativity should not be criminalised but channelled into Nigeria’s technological advancement, urging authorities to recognise the potential in their innovation. Over a year ago, he had told journalists that their technical skills should be redirected into productive innovation in a world increasingly driven by science and technology.
He maintained that a well-structured amnesty and rehabilitation programme, supervised by security institutions, would help refine their abilities for national benefit, particularly in the fabrication and maintenance of security equipment.
