Insecurity: Police Order Return Of Unlicensed Firearms In Oyo

Joe Nwachukwu, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria says the rise in cases of insecurity in the state has been linked to the rate at which firearms are being owned and used at liberty without license or authorization by some persons.

HumAngle recalls that an executive order signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on May 22, 2019, revokes the right of private individuals’ licenses on firearms or short guns in the country with effect from June 1, 2019.

In a statement signed by Olugbenga Fadeyi, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, the Police Commissioner called for the immediate submission of all firearms to the nearest police stations.

“It has come to the attention of the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu, the rate at which firearms are being owned and used at liberty without license or authorization by some persons as against the executive order of his Excellency the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR signed on May 22nd, 2019, with effect from June 1st 2019, revoking the right of private individuals’ licenses on firearms or short guns in Nigeria, calling for submission to the nearest Police Station across the length and breadth of the nation without the exception of Oyo State,” the statement reads.

The commissioner of police said he viewed the violation with grave dismay as unscrupulous elements in the society have taken the liberty of masterminding inter-gang clashes towards looting and conducting other social vices, powered by the unlawful possession of firearms.

“In the interest of the state and the peace of all and sundry, the CP wishes to urge the good people of Oyo State not to hesitate to assist the police in bringing such elements to book vis-a-vis the sharing of timely, concise and accurate information about any unauthorized person(s) or group of persons found in possession of firearms.”

“The CP wishes to state emphatically that the bulk of this load of correction and restoration of sanity lies in the hands of parents/guardians, stakeholders, religious leaders, leaders of thought and all in a position of influence.”

He added that all hands must be on deck towards the education of youths to shun such dastardly acts that are gradually turning the state in the opposite direction of peace and progress.

Family Heads Meet Hoodlums

Meanwhile, as cases of insecurity continue to mount in various parts of Oyo State, the family heads, known as Mogajis, in Ibadan held a meeting with leaders of hoodlums causing unrest in various parts of Ibadan, the state capital.

Seyi Makinde, governor of the state, had last week inaugurated a committee comprising the family heads and security agencies to find a lasting solution to the rising crime rates in the state and ensure residents in areas like Bere, Asuni, Labiran, Oja Oba, Kobomoje, Eleta, Isale Ijebu, Popo, Born Foto areas of the city can feel secure.

At the meeting, which was convened by the family heads in collaboration with the Oyo State Security Network known as Amotekun, bigwigs among the hoodlums in the most affected local government areas were named.

At Ibadan North-East, the bigwigs are Dada Oto widely known as ‘Packaging’; ‘SOJ’; and ‘350 boys’. While at Ibadan South East, Kabiru Ojuyobo, ‘Baba Ele’, ‘420 boys’, Alhaja Sakiratu Tinko, and ‘Iya gbogbo awon boys’ were named as the leaders of the hoodlums.

Speaking after the meeting, the Convener and leader of the family heads, Chief Waheed Oladoja noted that since the hoodlums are people they know, the most effective way to curb the violence is to dialogue with them.

“We know our subjects and there is a need to talk to them in a language they understand. This meeting will return peace to some hotspots in Ibadanland soon,” he said.