The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr Mohammed Adamu, has ordered Commissioners of Police, CPs, in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to initiate appropriate actions against prohibited firearms.
The Force Spokesperson Mr Frank Mba, in a statement on Sunday, said the order was part of preparations for the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo.
It is also intended to curb the proliferation of prohibited firearms in the country.
According to Mba, the idea is for the CPs to identify, isolate, disarm, arrest and prosecute any individual or group in possession of prohibited firearms
“The directive has become necessary against the backdrop of the deliberate arming and movement of political thugs and other criminal elements across the country.
“The order was also targeted at addressing the proliferation and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms in the country, contrary to the provisions of the Firearms Act,” the statement reads.
Mba said the IGP also directed the CPs to immediately convene an enlightenment meeting of all vigilance groups and quasi security outfits spread across the country.
“The IGP observed that several civil groups, vigilantes, quasi states and regional security outfits under various guise are arming themselves with prohibited firearms and weapons in contravention of the provisions of the Firearms Act. If unchecked, the trend will pose serious threat to national security,” he said.
The IGP enjoined citizens to cooperate with the police in the enforcement of the order, adding that the aim was to ensure safety of lives and property in the country.
