Polls: IGP Places Embargo On Issuance Of Weapon Licences

Ahead of the 2019 general elections in Nigeria, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, has placed an embargo on the issuance of new licences for weapons.

The move is sequel to intelligence indicating huge quantity of arms in possession of some Nigerians, the desperation of some citizens to acquire more arms, and the continued proliferation of illicit weapons in the polity, with the attendant negative and security implications.

The police boss in a press statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Frank MBA, Sunday in Abuja, called on all Nigerians unlawfully in possession of such weapons to ensure voluntary return of the weapons to Police Stations or Public Armoury nearest to them.

The IGP advised Nigerians to take advantage of the “voluntary arms return window” and do the right thing as there would be dire consequences for defaulters and those who fail to heed the call.

According to the statement, “The Force has perfected plans to embark on a massive, nationwide Joint Arms mopping up operations. The operation, which will be intelligent driven and target oriented, is designed to retrieve all illicit weapons in circulation, halt the on-going proliferation of weapons, restore law and order and bring perpetrators to justice.”