Zamfara police begins total enforcement of firearms act

According to a press statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Mohammed Shehu, the Commissioner of Police, Barrister Usman Nagogo has set up a Police Joint Task Enforcement Team headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations with a mandate to commence the mop-up, seizure and recovery of all illegal and prohibited firearms and ammunitions from unauthorized persons, suspected militia groups, criminal/unlawful gangs.

“The operation will equally include cordon, search and raid, seizure from any premises, hideouts, dwelling houses or buildings, sites (completed or under construction, any other location where these illegal/prohibited firearms are kept, or on reasonable suspicion are believed to be kept.

“Those in possession of such firearms are given seven days from 13th August, 2020 to surrender them to the Task Force team or any nearest Police Station they are domiciled.

“This Operation which among other purposes, is aimed at full enforcement of the firearms Act, mopping-up and recovery of all prohibited firearms and illegally acquired weapons will enable the Command deal decisively with the prevailing security challenges ranging from banditry, kidnappings, armed robbery, cattle rustling and other criminality in the state,” he said.

It stated that Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPO’s) are under strict instruction by the Commissioner of Police to carry out and enforce this act in totality in their respective areas of responsibility.

“They were also directed to convey a security stakeholders meeting immediately to sensitize and educate the members of the general public on this development,” he added.