Acting Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has called for voluntary surrender of illicit weapons ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said in a statement on Sunday that the IGP made 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 as well as the continued proliferation of illicit weapons in the polity, with the attendant negative and security implications.
“The IGP 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 statement said.
The IGP also advised 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 ongoing proliferation of weapons, restore law and order and bring perpetrators to justice, the statement said.
