By Ahmed Ajikobi
The Nigerian Police Force have commenced the mopping up and recovery of Illegal firearms and weapons from unauthorised hands.
The Inspector General of Police(IGP), Ibrahim Idris directed Commissioners of Police in all commands nationwide to immediately commence the disarmament and recovery of prohibited firearms, ammunition and weapons in possession of suspected militias, bandits, vigilante groups, neighbourhood watch, other groups and individuals.
“The arms to be recovered include locally fabricated and modified weapons fashioned to kill or cause harm, injury or apprehension, security breach and breach of peace or threat to law and order in the state.”
This was contained in a statement issued yesterday, by the Kwara State Commissioner of Police Ado Lawan and signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi.
The CP stated that a Police Joint Task Enforcement Team has been set up and mandated by the command to immediately mop up, seize and recover all illegal and prohibited firearms and ammunition from wrong hands.
“The operation will include cordon and search, raid, seizure from premises, hide outs, dwelling houses or buildings or sites completed or under construction or any other locations where these firearms and ammunition are reasonably suspected to be kept or being used.”
Meanwhile, the command has issued a 21-day ultimatum from February 28, 2018 for anyone in possession of ammunition to surrender such to the Commissioner of Police or the nearest public armoury.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Robbery and Firearms Act Cap R11 LFN 2004 and Firearms Act Cap F 28 LFN 2004 are explicit on punishment for dealing in arms and ammunition.
“Therefore, members of the public, individuals and groups, hunters and watch night men or any other groups under any capacity or guise other than the statutory security agencies recognised or gazetted by the Federal Government of Nigeria to bear firearms of specified category are currently in possession and using prohibited prohibited/illegal firearms such as Pump Action rifles of all categories and the likes for whatever purposes are hereby warned and given 21 days to surrender them.”
The statement further asked anyone with information as regards recovery of arms to call the following numbers; Commissioner of Police: 08115435611, Dep Comm Operations; 08188810695, Dep Comm CIID ; 09064826108, Asst Comm Operations;08186203098, Assst Comm CIID; 08037084376 or the PPRO;08032365122.
