The police have warned the Indigenous People of Biafra members against bearing firearms, saying any Biafra agitator caught with guns would be dealt with.
The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, cautioned the IPOB members to reconsider their threat to carry arms or face the wrath of the law.
The Biafra agitators had earlier threatened to carry arms to defend themselves against harassment and intimidation by security forces which had allegedly attacked and killed some IPOB members during street protests in Onitsha, Anambra State and other parts of the country.
But the IG in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole on Thursday in Abuja, advised the IPOB members to follow appropriate avenues to air their grievances “as anybody who steps out of bounds will be decisively dealt with.”
Arase noted that it was an offence punishable under the criminal law of the Federation of Nigeria for a person to have in his possession or under his control any prohibited firearms without license or permit.
The statement read, “The IG warns that anybody who dares security agencies in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities, and make life difficult for law-abiding citizens, will face dire consequences of their actions.
“He cautions the IPOB members to follow appropriate avenues to air their grievances as anybody who steps out of bounds will be decisively dealt with.”
The Force advised the agitators to be guided in respect of the law on bearing of firearms, stressing that it was bound to uphold the existing restriction on the use of guns.
Meanwhile, all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commands Commissioners of Police have been directed to strictly enforce the laws against the use of illegal firearms across the country.
The IG assured that the Nigeria Police Force, complemented by other security agencies in the country, would work towards eliminating any threat to internal security and social disorder.
