The Nigeria Police Force has recovered 182 illicit arms and 430 ammunition of various calibers across the country in its effort to tackle crimes. The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the arms will be handed over to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW). According to him, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered all Commands and Formations to increase their efforts towards tackling the proliferation of illicit arms and ammunition in the country.
IGP Baba has also extended additional human and logistic support to Commands and Formations across the country for effective security management during the forthcoming gubernatorial and state houses of assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, March 18, 2023. He said that the additional support includes the deployment of personnel, operational vehicles, non-lethal weapons, personal protective equipment (body armor), anti-riot equipment, and others. The IGP also mandated all strategic police managers to deploy the additional distributed operational assets and manpower to ensure the emplacement of a proper security arrangement for the upcoming elections as all hands must be on deck to ensure that the elections are conducted in a peaceful and secure environment.
CSOs commend Armed Forces and Police for peaceful election conduct.
A coalition of 23 civil society organizations (CSOs) have commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force for the peaceful conduct of the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections. Under the umbrella of Network for Promotion of Democracy in Nigeria, the CSOs praised the troops and officers for their neutrality, impartiality and professionalism throughout the exercise. Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on March 13, 2023, the convener, Abel Abu, said that the security agencies worked around the clock to tackle the various threats that could undermine the electoral process.
He described the Armed Forces, the Police and others, such as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, as the bastion of Nigeria’s democracy. He stated that the just-concluded presidential and National Assembly election indeed goes down in history as one of the most keenly-contested elections in the democratic party’s history in Nigeria. “That the elections have come and gone is a testament to the fact that democracy has indeed come to stay in Nigeria. This is on the heels that there were several attempts by agents of destabilization to truncate the process, but for the intervention and professionalism of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
Nigeria wins as non-state actors are denied chance to disrupt elections.
Abu said that it is indeed a victory for democracy that non-state actors, such as Boko Haram, Fulani bandits, Eastern Security Network (ESN) and other criminal elements, across the country were denied the opportunity to disrupt the electoral process. He said this evident in the fact that Nigerians could exercise their electoral franchise without fear or favor in defense of democracy. He claimed that the credibility of the electoral process is such that it has instilled confidence in Nigerians in their choices concerning the country’s leadership.
As the spokesperson for the press conference, he used the opportunity on behalf of the Network for the Promotion of Democracy in Nigeria to commend not only the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but also the leadership of other security agencies for standing tall in the provision of credible leadership during the election period. “Nigerians are indeed grateful that they were able to vote. Their votes counted, which has undoubtedly boosted the confidence of the electorates and the international community concerning the credibility of the elections,” he said.
The CSOs urge security forces not to relent after the elections.
The second and last batch of the general elections will be held on March 18, 2023. As much as the peaceful coordination of the elections is a priority to all security agencies in Nigeria, the CSOs urged the leadership of the Armed Forces and others not to rest on their oars when all elections are conducted and concluded. Abu stated that they must continue to serve as the bastion of Nigeria’s democracy by ensuring that all threats posed by non-state actors and other criminal elements across the country are neutralized with the overarching objective of peace and tranquility.
Related Link
Wikipedia: Website
IGP orders mop-up of illicit weapons – The police recover 182 arms and ammunition in crime-tackling efforts. – Express your point of view.
Who sells these illicit weapons to this criminals? That is what I don’t understand. The Police should do a thorough investigation to investigate how those criminals get in contact with those weapons.
This is a good work done by The police recover 182 arms and ammunition criminal are easily getting this weapon something should be done and stop them from getting this weapon
I wonder where these people get illegal weapons from and how do they get past the securities we have??
Our security still need to be doing a good work in stopping all this criminal from getting the weapon so any attack cannot be launch against the people
It is imperative that the agents in charge of our nation’s security step up their game in the fight against the spread of illegal firearms and ammunition across the country.
It is unfathomable that these elections have occurred and ended, but their conclusion is evidence that democracy has finally established a firm foothold in Nigeria.
Nice job from the police. They should they are improving but the source where these weapons come need to be investigated. I believe they have some persons who actually sponsors their ministry behind the scene.
The operation’s success is commendable, but more work needs to be done to stem the flow of illegal firearms and ammunition into the country.
How does this people poses 182 illegal arms and 430 ammunition in the first place. The police should look in to those that are supplying them such arms.
It would be nice if citizens of Nigeria were able to defend democracy by exercising their right to vote without being intimidated or given preferential treatment.
It’s great that all strategic police managers are putting in extra time and effort to make sure that the next elections are properly secured.
I hope they tighten the security of this country more, and stop exposing people to unnecessary danger
Security in the country is paramount all effort should me considered to strengthen the country’s security. Police should not rest on their achievements and do more.
The police are also trying their best recently and should also aid in ensuring the conduct of safe election and the people’s security.
The police recover 182 arms and ammunition in crime-tackling efforts. This is very nice to hear. If Nigeria police can put extraordinary efforts they will do more
The security officials in charge of our country must do everything in their power to stop the importation of illegal weapons and ammunition.
The trading of illicit weapons simply means they are being bought by criminals.. so it’s imperative that the police tackle such trade and put an end to it
The Nigeria Police Force are putting in their best but corruption is just the sickness they are suffering from.They have been able to mop up 182 illicit weapons. What about tackling the terrorist groups plaguing the north region of the country? What is our government doing about them too?
The order given by the IGP has really helped in the recovery of 182 illicit weapons. I believe the Police shouldn’t be given this other before carrying out such order. They should know that illicit weapons is not allowed in the public. This is just an indication that the police are not doing anything to safeguard lives and properties.