JUST-IN: IG ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHMENT OF GUN LICENSING, REGULATIONS COMMITTEE

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In accordance with the Firearms Act and other applicable laws, the acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has announced the creation of an ad hoc committee tasked with conducting a thorough investigation of the Nigeria Police Force’s licencing and regulations for firearms.

Egbetokun disclosed on Monday that the committee’s mandate will include a complete evaluation of the current laws and regulations governing the licencing of guns with a view to strengthening their effectiveness, openness, and accountability.

The Force Headquarters further stated that in order to ensure a thorough and well-informed review, the police will consult with pertinent parties, including legal professionals, civil society organizations, and subject-matter experts.

ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the force’s public relations officer, revealed this in an official correspondence on Monday.

The force PRO said, “Similarly, in furtherance of his zeal to tackle all forms of insecurity in the country, the IG has issued a stern warning to all individuals involved in the wrongful possession of arms and light weapons, reiterated that illegal proliferation of firearms and light weapons poses a significant threat to the peace and stability of our nation.

“In light of this, the Nigeria Police Force is resolutely determined to combat the illegal fabrication, sales, possession and use of arms emphasizing that possessing firearms without the appropriate licenses and permits is not only a violation of the law but also a grave danger to society. He assured that the Nigeria Police Force will spare no effort in pursuing and prosecuting those engaged in these illegal activities to the full extent of the law.

“The Inspector General of Police has charged all State Commissioners of Police and supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in charge of Zonal Commands, and tactical squads to commence a total clampdown on the illegal fabrication, sale, possession, and use of prohibited firearms in the country. He equally urged all Nigerians to report suspicious activities related to firearms to their local police divisions or via the various NPF social media platforms for prompt response.”

In a previous report, the IG stated that issuing gun licences might make the nation’s security situation worse, reaffirmed the police’s restriction on issuing licences, and added that the police might reconsider or reverse the ban in the future.

The NPF ceased issuing licences for small guns because of the high incidence of illegal arms proliferation in the nation, according to a statement from the Force Headquarters.

During his (IG’s) meeting with the Police Management Team, which included Deputy Inspectors General of Police, Assistant Inspectors General of Police, and Police Commissioners, at the Goodluck Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Egbetokun revealed this in response to a question from our correspondent.

“We are mopping up arms in circulation. There are too many arms in circulation and if we continue to issue licenses on arms, we may continue to aggravate the problems we are trying to solve,” Egbetokun said.

However, he further noted that the police might review the ban in the future.

“For now, there is a temporary ban on the issuance of firearms. We May review it later, but we are not issuing firearms licenses nationwide now.”