Regional security outfits, others operating with illegal arms – IGP

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has raised the alarm that several civil groups, including vigilantes, quasi state and regional security outfits under various guises, are arming themselves with prohibited firearms and weapons in contravention of the provisions of the Firearms Act.

The IGP, in a statement on Sunday by the Force spokesman, Frank Mba, said the trend, if unchecked, would pose a serious threat to national security.

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He directed Commissioners of Police in all the states and the FCT to immediately convene an enlightenment meeting of all vigilante groups and quasi security outfits across the country in order to ensure that their activities were in conformity with the extant laws guiding their establishment and operations.

The IGP enjoined 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.”

Also as part of preparations towards the forthcoming gubernatorial 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, the IGP ordered CPs in the 36 states and the FCT to initiate actions to identify, isolate, disarm, and arrest and prosecute any individual or groups in possession of prohibited firearms.

Mba noted that the directive became necessary against the backdrop of the deliberate arming and movement of political thugs and other criminal elements across the country.

According to him, 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.