The Lagos State Police Command on Thursday restated its warning against illegal possession of firearms, saying it had no exemption as offenders risk being arrested and charged to court.
Reacting to local vigilante being in possession of firearms, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Kenneth Nwosu, said the issue of firearms was clear.
“The issue of fire arm is a very clear thing. For anybody carrying any firearm, the firearm must be licensed by the competent authority.
“The competent authority according to the Firearms Act is the Commissioner of Police in the state,’’ he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
“The laws of the land are quite clear about who carries gun and who doesn’t.
“The law permits you as a single person to make arrest, you have such powers as an individual but not to carry unlicenced arm,’’ he said.
He denied having knowledge of any militia or unauthorised group licenced to be in possession of arms and ammunition.
The PPRO further urged Lagosians to provide the police with adequate information whenever any unauthorised person is spotted to be in possession of firearms.
“We urge the people to give credible information to the police concerning any unauthorised person in possession of a gun.
“Lagosians should report such persons to the nearest police station so that the police can immediately take necessary action.
“They should give a clear report on who shot someone and who was shot,’’ Nwosu added.
Nwosu recalled that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Mr Kayode Aderanti had sent a warning on illegal possession of firearms when he resumed office.
“The CP gave the warning when he came on board that those who are in possession of illegal arms should return them to the police.
“The warning goes to everyone either you are a vigilante or not.
“So, whatever name any group is called, either vigilante or non- vigilante, possessing any illegal firearm is a criminal act.
“If it is not licensed by the commissioner of police of that particular state, the person will be arrested and charged for illegal possession of firearm,’’ Nwosu said.
The PPRO, however added that the police would continue to clamp down on offenders until Lagos was crime-free.
NAN reports that illegal possession of firearms contravened Section 328 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011. (NAN)