Edo, Ondo Polls: IGP Orders Nationwide Clampdown On Proliferation Of Illegal Firearms

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, on Sunday ordered Police Commissioners in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to immediately initiate appropriate actions to identify, isolate, disarm, arrest and prosecute any individual or groups in possession of prohibited firearms.

This is in a bid by the police to curb the proliferation of prohibited firearms in the country as the part of preparations toward the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

The Edo governorship election comes up on September 19th, while that of Ondo comes up on October 10th.

There have been accusations and counter-accusations by the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, of plots to unleash violence at the polls.

According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, the directive is against the backdrop of “the deliberate arming and movement of political thugs and other criminal elements across the country.”

Mba also said the directive was targeted at addressing the proliferation and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms in the country, which was contrary to the provisions of Chapter F.28 LFN 2004 of the Firearms Act.

He said the IGP also directed the commissioners to immediately convene an enlightenment meeting of all vigilante groups and quasi-security outfits spread across the country.

This, he added, was in order to ensure that their activities were in conformity with the extant laws guiding their establishment and operations. 

The force spokesman said, “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 serious threat to national security.

“The IGP enjoins citizens to cooperate with the Police in the enforcement of this order as it is aimed at ensuring safety of lives and property in the country.”