The Ogun State Police command, in its bid to mop up illegal firearms across the state, have given a 21-day ultimatum to whoever in possession of such weapons to come forward and surrender it or face the wrath of law.
According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, ASP Abimbola Oyeyemi, a copy of which was sent to DAILY POST on Tuesday, the mop up exercise was aimed at checkmating the menace of herdsmen /farmers’ clash, armed robbery, and kidnapping among other criminal activities in the state.
The statement added that the directive also include those with license for their firearms, as they were also asked to come with those firearms for proper scrutiny and re-validation, adding that failure to do so will render such firearms completely illegal.
The statement listed those firearms to include: Artillery, Apparatus for the discharge of any explosives of gas diffusing projectile, Rocket weapons, Bombs and Grenades, Machine-Guns and Machine-Pistols, Military rifles, namely; those of calibers 7.62mm, 9mm, .300 inches, Revolvers and Pistols whether rifled or unrifled (including flint-lock pistols and cap pistols). Firearms such as Pump action gun of all categories and any other firearms/lethal weapons fabricated to kill .
“The Ogun State Police Command acting on the order of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim K Idris NPM, mni enforcing the firearms acts banning the possession and use of illegal and prohibited firearms, ammunition, weapon and devices, locally fabricated or modified, that can cause death or injury of person(s) specified under chapter F.28LFN 2004 firearms.
“That any person(s) in possession of any prohibited firearms to surrender such within the time limit of 21days from the day of this publication.
“Any person or group of persons in whose possession any of the aforementioned prohibited fire arms is found after the expiration of the ultimatum will be arrested and prosecuted.
“Also anybody or group who aid and abet anyone who to the best of his knowledge have in his possession any prohibited fire arms will be liable for arrest and prosecution.
“In view of these, the Command hereby appeal to general public, groups and individuals who are in possession of any of the above mentioned fire arms to surrender it at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department Eleweran Abeokuta or the nearest Police station.
“Also, those in possession of fire arms license are implored to come for proper verification and revalidation of such license as failure to do so will imply that such arms is been possessed illegally which may lead to the arrest and prosecution of such person.
“To this end, A Police Task Enforcement Team has been setup by the Commissioner of Police to commence the Mop-up, Seizure and Recovery of all illegal and prohibited firearms and ammunition from wrong hands, suspected Militias, Militants, and Criminal/Unlawful Gangs. The operation will equally include Cordon, Search and Raid, Seizure from any premises, hideouts, dwelling houses or buildings or sites (completed or under construction) or any other location where these illegal/prohibited firearms are kept or on reasonable suspicion are believed to be kept or being used.
“Furthermore, members of the General Public, individuals and groups such as Vigilantes and neighborhood watch group, Town Unions, Hunters and Watch night men or any group or association under any capacity or guise other than statutory Security Agencies recognized and gazette 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 and the likes for whatsoever purpose are hereby warned and given Twenty One (21) days from the day of this publication to surrender it to the Commissioner of Police and be law abiding.
“The aim of this operation is to checkmate and enable the Police to deal decisively with Herders and Farmers clashes, Kidnappings, Cultism, Armed robbery, Cattle rustling, Militancy, Terrorism, and other violent crimes.
“The Commissioner of Police Ogun State Command Cp Ahmed Iliyasu PSC(+) wish to reiterate that commitment of the Command in protection of lives and property across the State remains unequivocal and unwavering. Meanwhile every law abiding citizen of the State are to go about their lawful business without fear or apprehension,” the statement read.
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