Don’t arm militias, vigilantes, IGP warns govs
Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris has ordered state commissioners of police to prevent state governments from arming militia and vigilante groups.
Idris, who made this known yesterday in Abuja during a monthly meeting with state commissioners of police, said arming vigilante and militias was against firearms law.ý
He also directed the police chiefs to monitor activities of state governments ahead of the 2019 elections.
“Everybody is aware we are entering a tedious and serious period in this country. The political issues are coming up to the fore and I believe as officers, we must gear up in our various locations and responsibilities to ensure that we ensure law and order all over Nigeria.
“As police officers, we know our duties. We know some issues that must be considered very seriously because we are coming into a political arena.
“Commands should be very conversant with arming of militia men or vigilante because before a vigilante group is established by a government, there must be a bylaw which must be passed by the House of Assembly.
“It is the responsibility of the commissioners of police in charge of commands to study the bylaw and see how it conforms with the Constitution and other laws of this country but where through the connivance of some police officers, you have a command arming militia men under several laws, I think our officers have to brace up to face these challenges.”
He said: “No government in this country has the responsibility to approve some prohibited firearms to any Nigerian under any guise.
“I think it is the responsibility of CPs of Commands to put a close watch to the activities of some of these governments that are arming individuals, which is against the laws of this country.
“All of us are aware of these prohibited firearms; you cannot give approval for any individual to own a pistol or AK47 Rifles. These are prohibited weapons and only government has the authority to give that approval.
Commenting on killings in Nasarawa and Benue states and the impact of his relocation as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari, the IGP said the killings have reduced drastically.