The Anambra State Police Command on Monday announced a period of grace for anyone in possession of prohibited firearms to immediately hand over such firearms to the Police.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye made the announcement shortly after addressing the media, at the command’s Headquarters Amawbia, on the achievements of the command under his watch since he assumed office three months.
He said the grace period is in line with a directive from the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for those who are willing to surrender such arms to the nearest police station.
Adeoye said all the Divisional Police Officers and Area Commanders have been briefed on the directive from the IGP, so anyone complying with the directive has nothing to fear.
According to him, the Police will not arrest or prosecute anyone who willingly surrenders such fire arms during the grace period.
The CP warned that when the grace window closes, there will be a massive clampdown and anyone found to be in possession of such arms will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The Anambra Police boss, who reeled out his achievements in the past three months, said the State Police Command has arrested 128 suspects over their alleged involvement in various crimes across the state in the past three months.
While parading some of the suspects, Adeoye said “Out of the 128 suspects, 30 were arrested for insurgency, 38 were arrested for cultism, armed robbery 39 and 22 for kidnapping.”
He also said a total of 119 arms and ammunition were recovered from the suspects within the period under review.
“Today, we are also parading the 6 suspects and their patronizers, who were earlier arrested for vandalizing the Second Niger Bridge joints and cables and one other who specializes in stealing News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) properties in Awka were among those paraded.
“We have also recovered almost all the items vandalized on the Second Niger Bridge and they are also on display today,” he said.
The Commissioner listed the items recovered from the suspects to include a pump action guns, locally made cut-to-size guns, pistol and cartridges, fake police uniforms, Biafra flags, assorted charms, one roll armored cable and 16 iron grill stolen from the 2nd Niger Bridge Onitsha, others are 14 tricycles, 9 cars and 7 motorcycle.
He noted that 6 kidnapped victims were also rescued by the operatives and they have been reunited with their families.
CP Adeoye, also revealed that a notorious cultist, known to have masterminded many of the bloody killings in the state, has also been tracked to Enugu and arrested at his hideout.
He said the suspected cultist has made mind-boggling confessions, which included the killing of four persons in cult-related wars, notable of which was the killing of a security personnel belonging to a local security outfit.
He said all the suspects will be charged to Court, as soon as investigation is concluded.
The Anambra CP commended the government and people of Anambra State for their support that has enabled the command record major achievements, calling for more support in terms of intelligence, so that the security agents will continue to be on top of their game.
