The Police said yesterday that arms were being mopped up across the
country ahead of the next year’s general elections.
“One major factor behind thuggery is the proliferation of illegal arms.
As a result of this, we have been mopping up arms across the country, police
spokesman Frank Mba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said many illegal arms had been discovered in Lagos State.
According to him, the police had placed surveillance on public armouries
across the country and the nation’s borders to checkmate illegal possession of
arms.
He said many black spots were also being raided nationwide.
“Police in other states are doing same. We are mounting surveillance on
public armouries to check proliferation of light arms in wrong hands.
“The Marine police are checking our waters, particularly in the Niger
Delta. We are checking local arms production.”
Mba said the police had also discovered some factories in Edo, Anambra
and other places. “The arms and factories were destroyed.”
He spoke of plans to recover all illegal arms in the country for
destruction.
Mba said the police were collaborating with the military, the Department
of State Service (DSS), the Civil Defence Corps, Immigration, Customs and
private security organisations to achieve set goals.
“As we speak, the Inspector General of Police has placed embargo on
issuance of licence to individuals for arms. This is just one way to check arms
in the country,” Mba said.
Mba said the IG had reduced the use of police escort by politicians and
some private persons nationwide.
He said that surveillance had also been placed on politicians and
private persons, with a view to checking anyone using police officers without
permit.
“We should, however, note that some people are to be protected by the
police because of their position in Nigeria. Even in developed world, the state
provides special security for some people,” Mba added.