Anambra State Commissioner for Police, Mr John Abang, has directed his men to search and arrest any person with illegal firearm in the state.
He advised various groups and individuals in the state with illegal arm to voluntarily submit them to the rightful authority or risk being arrested and prosecuted.
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A statement issued by the Police spokesman in the state, Mr. Haruna Mohamed, said the move was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu on total clampdown, disarmament and prosecution of persons or group bearing prohibited firearms.
He said the Commissioner of Police had ordered the strict enforcement of the IGP’s directive in Anambra State.
According to him, individuals or groups in possession of prohibited firearms should submit same to the nearest Police Station or face arrest and prosecution.
“For the avoidance of doubts, part II(3) of the schedule of Firearms Act L.N32 of 1959 provides inter alia that ‘No person shall have in his possession or under his control any firearm of one of the categories specified in part I of the schedule to this Act (referred to as prohibited firearm) except in accordance with a licence granted by the President acting in his discretion.’
“Thus, acquiring such firearms by any group or community without requisite legal approval of the President remains an illegal act and a major threat to National Security for which the groups or individuals concerned could be criminally liable.
“In view of the above, the Command will henceforth arrest, disarm and prosecute anyone found with unlawful possession of prohibited firearms in the State,” he said.
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