The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has ordered commissioners of police in the across the country to immediately initiate appropriate actions to identify, isolate, disarm, arrest and prosecute any individual(s) or group(s) in possession of prohibited firearms.
The IGP says the move is due to the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.
A statement by police spokesman, Frank Mba, noted that the initiative is towards ensuring both elections are violent-free.
“The directive has become necessary against the backdrop of the deliberate arming and movement of political thugs and other criminal elements across the country.
“In addition, 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,” the statement noted.
The IGP said those arming themselves with prohibited firearms and weapons in contravention of the provisions of the Firearms Act, will pose a serious threat to national security if left unchecked.
Recall that the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) recently called on relevant authorities to sanction politicians who fan tension and violence in Edo ahead of the governorship election in the state.
The centre in its new brief on pre-election activities in the state said some early warning signs which portend grave danger for the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process and its outcomes are already being witnessed in Edo.
CDD noted that since the start of the Edo governorship election campaign, there has been rampant defacing or outright destruction of campaign billboards by supporters of rival partisan camps in the state.
The report said the trend, as documented by CDD observers on the ground, show that in the stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), campaign billboards belonging to the All Progressives Congress (APC) are targeted and defaced and vice versa.
Anaedoonline.ng previously reported that the CDD in a communique released after a civil society roundtable meeting in Edo state urged political parties to engage in issue-based campaigns.
The CDD also called on all the political parties participating in the election to shun activities which may potentially incite violence among members and opponents alike. According to the CDD, all parties should agree to sign a peace treaty ahead of the polls.
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