The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in Nigeria, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the Commissioners of Police in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory to identify and arrest any individual(s) or groups(s) in possession of prohibited firearms.

Channels TV said, the IGP’s directive comes as part of preparations toward the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, as well as efforts by the Police High Command to curb the proliferation of prohibited firearms in the country.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, DCP Frank Mba, says, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has ordered Commissioners of Police in the thirty-six states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to immediately initiate appropriate actions to identify, isolate, disarm, arrest and prosecute any individual(s) or group(s) in possession of prohibited firearms.

DCP Mba said that the directive has become necessary against the backdrop of the deliberate arming and movement of political thugs and other criminal elements across the country.

“In addition, the directive is targeted at addressing the proliferation and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms in the country which is contrary to the provisions of Chapter F.28 LFN 2004 of the Firearms Act.

“In a similar vein, Commissioners of Police in all the States of the Federation and the FCT have been directed to immediately convene an enlightenment meeting of all vigilante groups and quasi security outfits spread across the country in order to ensure that their activities are in conformity with the extant laws guiding their establishment and operations”.

The statement further added that the IGP, while observing that several civil groups – vigilantes, quasi-states, and regional security outfits under various guises are arming themselves with prohibited firearms and weapons in contravention of the provisions of the Firearms Act, notes that the trend if unchecked will pose a serious threat to national security.