There is temporary ban on issuance of firearms – IGP

By Abiodun OBA

The Police high command has said it has placed a temporary ban on issuance of firearms which may be reviewed later.

The IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, made the disclosure while fielding questions from newsmen during his meeting with AIGs, Commissioners of Police at the headquarters, Abuja.

“We are mopping up arms in circulation. There are too many arms in circulation and if we continue to issue licenses on arms, we may continue to aggravate the problems we are trying to solve.

“For now, there is temporary ban on issuance of firearms. We May review it later, but we are not issuing firearms licenses nationwide now,” Egbetokun said.

The Firearm Act provides that no person shall have in his possession or under his control, any firearm or ammunition except such person has a license from the President or the Inspector General of Police and has been responsible for the control of firearms in Nigeria for the past years.