IG Ultimatum On Firearms: Osun Police Recovers 86 Assorted Firearms, Bullets   

By Toba Adedeji

Following the order issued by the Inspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim to seize illegal arms from people nationwide, the Osun State Police has recovered 86 firearms and bullets across the State.

The recovered firearms were displayed in Osun State Police command, Osogbo on Thursday.

During the briefing with journalists, Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fimihan Adeoye said, “The ultimatum given by the Inspector General of Police is expired but we have recovered few as a result of that ultimatum given. We want you to know what we have been able to do in the past few months and the number of firearms that were recovered.

“You know that firearms in the hands of wrong people constitute a major threat to law and order in our society and in the course of our activity in the past twelve months, we have succeeded in recovering many firearms which you see on display.

Adeoye said, “For now we have the total number of 86 assorted firearms and 88 unexpended cartridges. The recovery of the firearms is a continuous process and whosever that is found to be in possession of any illegally acquired firearms will be dealt with in accordance of the law.

“So we are using this opportunity to appeal to the members of the public to pass necessary information to the police if they come in contact with anybody who is in possession of any form of firearms.”

“We have few instances where the owners willingly surrender the arms but majority of those firearms were recovered from criminals who are undergoing prosecution.

According to him, “There are three categories of firearms which are; Muzzle loading, Personal firearm and Prohibited firearms. For the Personal Firearms the Inspector General of Police is the one that has the authority to issue permit; for the Prohibited firearms example of this is the Pump action rifle, the President and the Commander-in-Chief can issue permit on that but we have realized that some people in this category is taking firearms in this category to be personal firearms which is still illegal and for Muzzle Loading you have to get a permit through the local government.”

Adeoye also assured the people Osun State of adequate security in the forthcoming Easter celebration.