2015: IG BANS FIREARMS, LICENCES

Ahead of the 2015 general elections, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mohmmed Abukakar, has ordered the top brass of the force to begin a massive mop up of weapons across the country.
He also ordered a ban on the issuance of firearms’ licences to ‘willing owners’.
The directive was disclosed yesterday in Lagos by Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba.
Mba told journalists that the directives had become imperative, following persistent seizure of weapons from unauthorised people, especially for political activities.
His words: “Some arrests made in the last couple of years had necessitated some drastic steps to be taken to ensure that next year’s general elections are free and fair and without molestation or violence.
“To that end, the IG has directed a mop-up of weapons in the country,” he stated.
According to the police spokesman, seizures of caches of arms had been recorded in Lagos, Edo, Ebonyi, Anambra states, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Mba, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, added that the ban on issuance of firearms’ licences in the country would remain in force until after the 2015 elections.
He stressed that the police was on alert at major sea and land ports across the country, where surveillance had been increased.
Source: National Mirror