The Police Command in Imo State has given criminals in possession of rifles belonging to the Force in the state to return them on or before June 12 or face the law.
The warning came from the Commissioner of Police in Imo, Mr Abutu Yaro, on Wednesday.
Yaro gave the warning while interacting with newsmen in Owerri. He warned that anyone caught with the weapons would face the full weight of the law. Further, the Commissioner noted that many police rifles were stolen during the October 2020 #EndSARS protest; as a number of the force’s formations were attacked.
Thereafter, he attributed the recent shootings and killings in the state to illegal possession of rifles; adding that hoodlums, in possession of rifles, had been attacking the formations.
Consequently, he called on parents and all peace-loving citizens to report anyone in possession of a rifle.
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“Many stations were recently burnt…Rifles moved away are being used to carry out shootings and killings in the state. I hereby call on parents and well-meaning people of the state to report any child in their domain who is found in possession of police rifles.
“Police rifles are for police and not for any other persons,” he said.
In addition, he stated that the command had resolved to deal ruthlessly with any persons caught with such arms and ammunition. Yaro promised that the Force would leave no stone unturned in bringing criminals to book.
Meanwhile, the Police Command in Osun on Wednesday has confirmed the killing of a 10-year-old girl at Ilerin, along Ilesa-Iperindo Road.
The suspected killers were said to have shot at the victim who was on a motorcycle.
The development was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, SP Yemisi Opalola. In a statement, the PPRO disclosed that the suspected hoodlums shot at the girl, her mother and another child while on a motorcycle.
