As part of preparations toward the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo States, as well as efforts by the Police High Command to curb the proliferation of prohibited firearms in the country, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu on Sunday ordered Commissioners of Police in the thirty-six states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to immediately initiate appropriate actions to identify, isolate, disarm, arrest and prosecute any individual(s) or group(s) in possession of prohibited firearms.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, Frank Mba, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP.
The FPRO explained that the directive became necessary against the backdrop of the deliberate arming and movement of political thugs and other criminal elements across the country.
He further added that the directive was also aimed at addressing the proliferation and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms in the country contrary to the provisions of Chapter F.28 LFN 2004 of the Firearms Act.
According to him, “Commissioners of Police in all the States of the Federation and the FCT have been directed to immediately convene an enlightenment meeting of all vigilante groups and quasi security outfits spread across the country in order to ensure that their activities are in conformity with the extant laws guiding their establishment and operations.”
He pointed out that the IGP while observing that several civil groups – vigilantes, quasi-states and regional security outfits under various guises “are arming themselves with prohibited firearms and weapons in contravention of the provisions of the Firearms Act, notes that the trend if unchecked, will pose a serious threat to national security”.
He further disclosed that the IGP enjoined citizens to cooperate with the Police in the enforcement of this order as it was aimed at ensuring the safety of lives and property in the country.
