FCT Police Command Inaugurates Taskforce on Illegal Firearms

In compliance with the directive of the Inspector General of Police on nationwide disarmament and recovery of prohibited firearms, ammunitions and weapons in possession of unauthorised persons or groups, the Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Sadiq Abubakar Bello has inaugurated the Command Joint Task Enforcement Team headed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Olumese Valentine.

While inaugurating the Task team which is saddled with the responsibility of coordinating and enforcing the directive on the mop-up, seizure and recovery of illegal and prohibited firearms in the Federal Capital Territory, the Commissioner of Police FCT advised individuals and groups including vigilante and neighbourhood watch that still have in their possession prohibited/illegal firearms such as pump action, etc. to take advantage of the twenty-one days grace given by the Inspector-General of Police and surrender same at the nearest Police Division or the Command Headquarters.

The Command also wishes to state that upon the expiration of the 21-days grace period on 15th March, 2018, it will commence the mop-up operation exercise which will include raids, cordon and search of premises or buildings or hideouts where these illegal/prohibited firearms are reasonably suspected to be kept. Suffice it to add that any individual or group of persons found in possession of any prohibited firearms during the exercise will be arrested and prosecuted.

As part of measures adopted by the Command to ensure all stakeholders in FCT are carried along, the Commissioner of Police has directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to reach out to traditional rulers, community leaders and heads of vigilante and neighbourhood watch in their respective areas of responsibility and enlighten them on the essence of the exercise and seek for their support and cooperation.

For the purpose of clarity, the categories of the prohibited/illegal firearms and ammunition, specified under Chapter F.28 LFN 2004 Fire Arms Act are as follows:

    i.        Artillery.

  ii.        Apparatus for the discharge of any explosives of gas diffusing projectile.

iii.        Rocket weapons.

iv.        Bombs and Grenades.

  v.        Machine-Guns and Machine-Pistols.

vi.        Military rifles, namely; those of calibres 7.62mm, 9mm, .300 inches.

vii.        Revolvers and Pistols whether rifled or unrifled (including flint-lock pistols and cap pistols).

viii.        Firearms such as Pump action gun of all categories.

ix.        Any other firearms/lethal weapons fabricated to kill.

In conclusion, members of the public are hereby called upon to avail the Police information on persons in possession of firearms illegally or where such firearms are kept.

DSP Anjuguri Manzah

Police Public Relations Officer

FCT Police Command

Abuja