17th July, 2015
The Kogi State Police Command has directed all licensed holders of guns and other firearms in the state to report to its headquarters latest by July 22, 2015.
This was contained in a statement issued in Lokoja, capital of Kogi, on Friday by the command headquarters.
It said that the holders of the guns and firearms should report with their firearms irrespective of whether the licence was obtained from the state or any other states, and irrespective of their renewal status.
The Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) ASP Sola Collins Adebayo, who signed the statement said that the action was informed by the need to revalidate the licences of the existing holders of such firearms.
According to the statement, the exercise has become necessary in view of the proliferation of firearms and the recent surge in cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent crimes associated with the use of firearms in the state.
It said that, any holder of firearms that fails to heed the directive, but later found to be in possession of firearms of any calibre would be made to face the law.
“The case will be treated as being in possession of unlawful firearm and such person will be made to face the full wrath of the law,” it said.
The police in the statement also urged the public to buy into its efforts to rid the state of all forms of crime by supplying it with useful information that may lead to the arrest of criminals in any part of the state.