Acting IGP set for nation-wide mop up of illegal weapons, urges voluntary surrender or face action

*As Police chief bans issuance of new arm licences

The Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Alhaji Abubakar Mohammed Adamu, acknowledging the large quantity of arms in unlawful across Nigeria, has advised affected people in such category to voluntarily surrender them or face the wrath of the law.

This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Frank Mba, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

Mba also informed that the Acting IGP had, with immediate effect, placed an embargo on the issuance of new licences for designated arms throughout the country, even as he said the Force had perfected plans to embark on a massive, nationwide Joint Arms Mopping up Operations.

Therefore, the Force PRO advised Nigerians to take advantage of the “voluntary arms return window” and do the right thing as, according to him, there will be dire consequences for defaulters and those who fail to heed the call.

“Consequent upon intelligence indicating the presence of huge quantity of arms in unlawful 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 Inspector General of Police, Ag IGP Mohammed A. Adamu NPM, mni , has called on all Nigerians currently in unlawful possession of such weapons to immediately ensure a voluntary return of the weapons to Police Station or Public Armoury nearest to them.

“The Inspector General of Police has also, with immediate effect, placed an embargo on the issuance of New Licences for designated arms throughout the country.

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

“Meanwhile, 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,” he said.