Oyo, Imo security agents ask residents, militia groups to return illegal firearms

SECURITY agents in Oyo State have cautioned residents who are in possession of illegal firearms to submit them to the Police Command within 21 days or face prosecution.

A statement by the state Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu, said the directive followed a similar order to all police formations in the country by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris.

He enjoined members of the public to support the police in its bid to mop up all illegal firearms in circulation by reporting anyone in possession of the prohibited firearms.

He listed the firearms that were banned to include pump action guns, rocket weapons and others, while stating that all security agencies recognised by the Federal Government were excluded from the directive.

Ajisebutu also explained that the state Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Odude, has inaugurated a task force that would enforce compliance with the directive.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Police command has directed all in possession of all forms of firearms, ammunition, guns and illegal weapons to submit them in compliance with the IGP’S directive.

In a statement signed by its deputy commissioner of police (Administration), Tunji Akingbola yesterday, the command listed no fewer than 18 categories of such weapons and gave all illegal possessors three weeks within which to submit them.

“The Imo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the IGP has ordered the immediate disarmament and recovery of prohibited firearms, ammunition and weapons in the possession of all suspected militias, bandits, vigilant groups and neighborhood watch, among others,” the statement reads.