Delta Police to take Strict Measure Against the use of Illegal Fire Arms in the State

By Godwin Utuedoye,

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Following the directive given by the Inspector-General of Police for total enforcement of the firearm Act banning the possession and use of illegal and prohibited firearms, ammunition, weapons and devices locally fabricated or modified that can cause death or injury to persons, the Delta State Police Command has constituted a task force headed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge Operations Department, ACP. Wagbara Peter to immediately commence the mopping up of the afore-listed categories of weapons in the state.

This was made known to journalists by the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Mustafa, stating that all those in possession of prohibited firearms in Delta state, should surrender them to the Commissioner of Police through the Area Commanders of their places of domicile within 21 days with effect from March 1, 2018.

Mustafa said, “Consequently, the general public, individuals and groups such as vigilantes and neighbourhood watch, town unions, hunters and watch night men or any group or association under any capacity or guise other than statutory Security Agencies recognized and gazetted by the Federal Government of Nigeria to bear firearms of specified category, who are currently possessing and using prohibited/illegal firearms such as pump action gun of all categories and the likes for whatsoever purpose in the state are hereby given twenty-one (21) days with effect from today, 1st March, 2018, to surrender them to the Commissioner of Police through the Area Commanders of their places of domicile.

“No license will be given or recognized in respect of prohibited firearms and ammunition except if granted by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon the recommendation of the Inspector-General of Police.

“I therefore implore concerned citizens, general public, and Local Government Authorities to prevail on their vigilantes, neighbourhood watch, civil security outfits and watch night men and others attached to any organization including public and private institutions in the state to surrender within the time limit of 21 days, all the prohibited firearms in their possession.

“Anyone found with prohibited firearms after the expiration of the 21 days will be arrested, investigated and prosecuted, as the police will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law on any individual or group whose conduct, under any guise, run contrary to the law of the land.”

Mustafa implored members of the public to be vigilant and report to the Commissioner of Police, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers nearest to them anyone bearing, possessing or in custody of the above mentioned prohibited firearms anywhere in the state and to continue to repose confidence in the police and providing necessary cooperation in their desire to reduce crime to the barest minimum level in the state.