The Borno State Police Commissioner, Yusufu Lawan, has directed the submission of all prohibited firearms to the police headquarters and divisions in the state.

According to him, the mop-up exercise was to curb the proliferation of prohibited firearms across the state.

Spokesperson for the Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Sani Shatambaya, said the directive followed the move by Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun to ensure a crime-free society in the six geo-political zones of the country.

The commissioner, however, noted that citizens in possession of illegal firearms will not attract any punitive measures from the police.

He, therefore, assured all individuals involved in the wrongful possession of arms and light weapons and willing to submit such weapons to the police that doing so will not attract any sanction.

Besides, he added that the mopping-up exercise was to reduce the number of guns in circulation across the state.

“The IGP’s directives on illegal possessions of weapons, was also to stop firearms from getting into the wrong hands,” he said, adding that they are used to commit crimes in various communities in the state.

“The firearms mop-up exercise will keep the state safe for all,” declared the police boss, assuring that those who take advantage of this opportunity will not face any sanction, arrest and harassment,” he added.

Shatambaya warned that perpetrators who refuse to forfeit their arms to the police will not be spared and will face the wrath of the law.

He listed the illegally possessed firearms to include pistols, rifles, air weapons, locally made guns and dummy guns.

“The police will arrest and prosecute them for unlawful possession of any of the listed firearms,” he further warned.

He also urged residents not only to report suspicious firearms-related activities to their local police stations in the state.

He added that they can also report through the Police Public Relations Office (PPRO) for prompt response, as their identities will be treated with utmost confidentiality.