The Police have commenced the mopping up, seizure and recovery of illegal firearms, ammunition, weapons and devices from unauthorised persons in Zamfara State.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Shehu in a statement said the operation is to recover locally fabricated or modified weapons following the proliferation of firearms among many groups, including vigilante, militia and other groups.
It reminds the general public that the possession of firearms is prohibited except with a license granted by the President.
The Commissioner of Police, Usman Nagogo, has set up a Police Joint Enforcement Team, headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, with the mandate to commence the mop-up, seizure and recovery of all illegal and prohibited firearms and ammunitions from unauthorised persons, suspected militia groups, criminal and unlawful gangs.
The Special Operation will equally include cordon, search and raid, seizure from any premises, hideouts, dwelling houses or buildings or sites under construction and any other location where the illegal and prohibited firearms are kept, or on reasonable suspicion, are believed to be kept.
The Police Commissioner further warns members of the public, individuals and groups such as the vigilantes, town unions, hunters and watch nightmen or any group or association under any capacity or guise, other than statutory security agencies, recognised and gazetted by the Federal Government of Nigeria to bear firearms of specified category.
Those in possession of such firearms are given 7 days from 13th August to surrender them to the Task Force team, or to any nearest Police Station.
Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers, DPOs are under strict instruction by the Commissioner of Police, to enforce the order in totality, in their respective areas of responsibility.
They are also directed to convene a security stakeholders meeting immediately, to sensitise and educate members of the public on the development.
Source : Ait.live
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