To forestall electoral violence and a breakdown of law and order during the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states, the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Mohammed Adamu, has ordered Commissioners of Police in states to identify individuals and groups in possession of prohibited firearms as the force embark on a mop up of ammunitions within the larger society.
The directive follows the deliberate attempts by some politicians to arm thugs and the increasing violence in Edo and Ondo where off-season elections are due to hold in September and October respectively.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, DCP Frank Mba, on Sunday, said it aims to curb the proliferation of arms in the country ahead of the polls.
Recall Edo in particular, has been recording various incidents of violence as Governor Godwin Obaseki of the People’s Democratic Party and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress continue to reach out to the Edo masses in search of votes.
The force also frowned at the arming of vigilantes and regional security outfits, warning that such self-help actions pose a threat to national security.
Mba, in a statement said: “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 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 serious threat to national security.
“The IGP enjoins citizens to cooperate with the Police in the enforcement of this order as it is aimed at ensuring safety of lives and property in the country,” the statement reads.
