Terror Alert: FCT Security Committee Bars Vigilantes From Firearms

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Security Committee has introduced a Code of Conduct barring members of the Vigilante groups operating in the various communities in Abuja from using prohibited firearms.

In the newly established Code of Conduct for members of the Vigilante group, the security committee also prohibited the vigilante from carrying out any operation without the presence of the police or the expressed approval of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in their respective jurisdictions.

However, members of the vigilante are permitted to possess and use weapons for self-defense or other lawful purposes as allowed by the DPO.

These were some of the decisions reached by the FCT Security Committee at its 11th meeting, presided over by the FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Bello, held in Gwarinpa I District, Abuja.

According to a statement on Sunday by the Director, Information & Communication, FCT, Muhammad Sule, informed the new approved code required that any member of the group, who recovers a hazardous weapon from a criminal suspect is expected to keep a detailed account and report to the police for further investigation.

The Committee permitted the vigilante group to make arrest of anyone, who violates the laws of the land as allowed under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.