The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mr Danmallam Mohammed, says the Police and other security agencies will mop-up all illegal firearms in the state.
Danmallam was speaking at a one day security meeting with relevant stakeholders in Enugu State on Tuesday.
He said that the security meeting became necessary because of some recent emerging security threat and the forthcoming councils election in the state in November.
The Police commissioner noted that a lot of illegal firearms and dangerous weapons were in the hands of many youths and even adults in the state.
“This ugly development has resulted to unfortunate incidents causing death of many promising young men and women.
“As we draw closer to the conduct of the local government elections in the state, I am of the opinion that all of us should think outside the box to see how this ugly monster can be checkmated,’’ he explained.
He said that the Police command was investigating alleged immoral activities involving some members of neighbourhood watch groups; which included: kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, murder amongst others.
“The essence of this meeting is to re-awaken our consciousness on the reason why these neighbourhood watch groups are set up in the first place and proffer solutions that will ensure that their activities are always within the ambit of the law,” he noted.
Danmallam said that Chief Security Officers of tertiary institutions should retrace the step of giving pump action guns to their security personnel.
“My question is; for what reason? Has our tertiary institutions become theatre of war?’’ the commissioner asked.
He however, said that Enugu State was peaceful and the Police are poised to maintain the tempo and improve where necessary.
The meeting was attended by traditional rulers; leaders of Hausa, Fulani and Yoruba communities; top officers of state niegbourhood watch groups, retired military officers and top officers of sister security agencies in the state.
The state Commissioner for Poverty Reduction and Human Capital Development, Mr Obinna Mbaeke and retired Brig.-Gen. Fred Ezeh, the Special Adviser to Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Security Matters also attended the meeting.
