The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Solomon E. Arase, has directed all Commissioners of Police in State Commands and the FCT to activate mechanism for the mop-up of prohibited firearms within their areas of responsibility.

Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, disclosed this in a statement issued today in Abuja. She said the order became necessary because the police is “concerned about the increasing proliferation and engagement of prohibited firearms that threaten security in parts of the country, and as part of initiatives aimed at ensuring adequate protection of lives and property of the citizens.”

The Force PRO further said: “For the avoidance of doubts, prohibited firearms under the Firearms Act include Artillery, Apparatus for the discharge of any explosives or gas-diffusing projectile, Revolvers and Pistols, Machine guns and Machine Pistols, Rocket Weapons and Military rifles including those with calibre 7.62mm, 9mm, .300 inches and .303inches.

“Furthermore, the Inspector General of Police urges persons in possession of non-prohibited firearms to immediately obtain or renew their licenses before July, 2016 by following the process on the requisite web link of the Nigeria Police Central Information Centre (NCIS) on www.npf.gov.ng

“He emphasises that the intelligence and operational assets of the Force will soon be deployed to fish out, arrest and bring to justice any person who fails to voluntarily surrender prohibited firearms in his/her possession or who fails to obtain/renew requisite licenses for non-prohibited firearms. Such modalities shall include a reward system for informants whose information shall lead to the location and recovery of such weapons and arrest of the person in whose custody such illegal firearms are recovered.

“The IGP calls on all citizens to sustain their cooperation with the Nigeria Police in the task of keeping the country safe while assuring the Force will continue to diligently work towards eliminating any threat to internal security and assures Nigerians of its commitment to their safety and security.”

•Photo shows IGP Arase.