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As part of efforts to mop up all illegal firearms in Oyo state, the state Police Command has issued a 21-day ultimatum to holders to submit such arms for inspection or face the wrath of the law.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr Adekunle Ajisebutu, in a statement said those in possession of prohibited firearms should submit them at the nearest police station warning that “anyone found with prohibited firearms/ammunition after the expiration of the twenty-one days will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.”
The statement added: “For the avoidance of doubt, such prohibited firearms include: pump action guns, artillery, apparatus for the discharge of any explosives of gas diffusing projectile, rocket weapons, bombs and grenades, machine guns and machine pistols, military rifles; namely, those of caliber 7.62mm, 9mm, 300 inches, revolvers and pistols whether rifled or unrifled (including flint-lock pistols and cap pistols) and any other firearms or lethal weapons fabricated to kill.
“This order, however, excludes statutory Security Agencies recognized (in a gazette) by the Federal Government of Nigeria to bear firearms of specified category.”
The command urged members of the public to report anyone found with such firearms at the nearest police station as a task force/enforcement team has been set up to ensure compliance with the order.