The Rivers State Police Command has directed Commanders of all Tactical Units to commence mop-up exercise for arms in the hands of civilians across the state.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mukan in a statement, said the decision to carry out the mop-up was in line with the directive by the Inspector General of Police to rid the country of illegal possession of firearms.
According to the statement by the police public relations officer, Nnamdi Omoni: “Following the Directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohamed Abubakar Adamu, on clampdown on the proliferation of prohibited firearms in the country, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph G. Mukan after a Meeting has directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Heads of Tactical/Operational Departments of the Command to immediately put in place measures to identify, isolate, disarm, arrest and prosecute any person or group of persons having in his possession any of the categories of firearms prohibited by law.
“All Divisional Police Officers to with immediate Effect, organize enlightenment meetings for personnel of the OSPAC, VIGILANTE, Forest Guards, Hunters and Local Security outfits within their areas of responsibility to ensure they operate in conformity with the extant laws guiding their establishment and operations.”
The statement enjoined residents of the State “to remain law abiding, and rekindle their trust in the ability to protect them and promptly report any person or persons found to be in possession of Firearms, especially those prohibited, to the nearest Police Station.”
