… Promise no sanctions for return of wrongful possession of illegal firearms
By Edoamaowo Udeme
The Nigeria Police IGP he Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, during a meeting with strategic police managers, read riot act to the killers of a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Bako Angbashim, in Rivers State. He stated that the Force has put everything in place to ensure arrest and trial of the perpetrators.
He stressed on the abduction of NYSC members in Zamfara state and promised to leave no stone unturned to ensure their safe return.” We must not forget the abductions of eight (8) National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Zamfara. The safety and well-being of all our citizens, particularly our young NYSC members, remain of utmost importance to us. We are firm in our commitment to intensify our efforts at ensuring the safe rescue of these abducted Corp Members and all others still in captivity of criminal gangs in any part of the country”
Stating the achievements of the Force in the last few months, he noted that the Force has effectively disrupted multiple infamous criminal syndicates involved in organized crimes, “leading to arrest of 288 armed robbery suspects, 187 kidnap suspects, 198 homicide suspects, 59 suspects for possession of prohibited firearms, 168 suspects involved in cases of rape, defilement and other sexual offences, 265 suspected cultists, and 1891 suspects for various crimes”.
“A total of 127 firearms of different calibres, 612 assorted ammunition, and 89 stolen vehicles were recovered nationwide while 71 kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt and subsequently reunited with their families and loved ones within the same period of five (5) weeks”.
In order to tackle all forms of arms related cases in the country, “we have set up an ad hoc committee tasked with the comprehensive review of firearms licensing and regulations in line with the Firearms Act and other extant laws, in the interest of public safety and general security. The Committee’s mandate will encompass a thorough assessment of current firearms licensing procedures and regulations, with the aim of enhancing their effectiveness, transparency, and accountability. This will be done in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure a holistic and well-informed review”.
He urged “All individuals involved in the wrongful possession of arms and light weapons are hereby warned to submit such illegally possessed weapons to police at the police stations nearest to them. This will attract no sanction”.
“ All State Commissioners of Police and supervising Assistant Inspectors General of Police in charge of Zonal Commands, as well as Tactical Commanders are by this announcement mandated to immediately commence a total clampdown on the illegal fabrication, sales, possession, and use of prohibited firearms in the country. All Nigerians are hereby urged to report all suspicious firearms related activities to their local police stations. They can also report through the various NPF social media platforms for prompt response and action”.
He also ceased the opportunity to assure the residents of are Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo holding their gubernatorial elections on November 11 of adequate security and violence-free exercise.
