In response to the statement issued by the Zamfara State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, on Sunday, that the government had directed residents of the state to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against bandits who have been terrorizing the state, the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, Ayuba Elkana, has said the embargo on firearms licence is still in force.
Mr Elkana while responding to the directives of the State Government noted that the police have stopped issuing licence to citizens who wished to own guns.
In the statement issued by the state commissioner for Information, The government, therefore, directed the state Commissioner of Police to issue licences to all those who qualify and are willing to obtain guns to defend themselves.
Dosara had said, “Government has, henceforth, directed individuals to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against the bandits, as the government has directed the state commissioner of police to issue a license to all those who qualify and are wishing to obtain such guns to defend themselves.
“Government is ready to facilitate people, especially our farmers, to secure basic weapons for defending themselves. The government has already concluded an arrangement to distribute 500 forms to each of the 19 emirates in the state for those willing to obtain guns to defend themselves.
“People must apply to the Commissioner of Police to own guns and such other basic weapons to be used in defending themselves. A secretariat or centre will be established for the collection of intelligence on the activities of informants.”
But reacting to the directive, the state commissioner of police said he has yet to receive any directive to issue gun licences to the people.
Elkana, in a telephone interview, said, “I have not received any directives and also, there is a ban on firearms licence and we don’t give licence.
“I am yet to receive any directive. Let me see the directive first before I can comment. I have not seen the directive, so I cannot comment on compliance.”
Asked if the government’s decision was a vote of no confidence in the police, the CP replied, “There is nothing like a vote of no confidence, please. This is a farming season and you cannot get police or any security to be following everybody to the farm. They are attacking people on the farm; that is the problem. It is not as if we are not doing our best; we are doing our best. Of recent, we rescued many people (from bandits).”
When contacted on the issue, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, declined comment on the matter.
Punch/Oluwayemisi Owonikoko
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