Commander, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in Plateau State, Maj.Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar, yesterday, handed over 130 recovered illicit arms to the Coordinator, North Central Zone of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Maj. Gen Hamza Bature, at OPSH headquarters in Jos.
Speaking at the occasion, Abubakar, who also doubles as General Officer Commanding 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, said the illicit arms were recovered from criminal elements in the course of operation of security agencies under the OPSH.
He said of the 130 illicit arms, 29 were Dane guns, 53 fabricated revolver rifles, 14 AK-47 rifles, one G3 rifle, eight locally fabricated AK-47 rifles, nine Harris Burg pistols, 21 locally fabricated pistols, one English pistol and two locally fabricated SMG.
Others are 28 AK-47 magazines, three locally fabricated magazines, one RPG7 Tube, 1, 522 rounds of ammunition, 500 rounds of 9mm ammunition, six cartridges and four RPG7 rockets with chargers.
He said the small arms and light weapons, including drugs, motorcycles and vehicles were recovered through kinetic and non kinetic means in the course of the troops’ operations, adding that kidnap victims were also rescued during the process. Abubakar reiterated his troops’ resolve and determination to check the activities of criminal elements in the society.
He said: “As you are aware, the Federal Government of Nigeria, in its determination to stop the senseless bloodletting and insecurity occasioned by the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in circulation within our communities, came up with a strategy of mopping up all illicit weapons.
It was in this regard that the Federal Government approved the establishment of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons at all levels of the polity, and to mainstream illicit small arms and light weapons eradication efforts.”
The commander said OPSH had recorded tremendous successes in stemming the tide in circulation and, by extension, promoting an illicit arms-free society. The zonal coordinator said this is the second time such recovered illicit arms and weapons would be handed to the agency.
He expressed worries that many lives would have been wasted if the illicit arms were not recovered from the criminal elements. Bature, who commended the efforts of operatives of OPSH in mopping up illegal weapons, solicited the cooperation of the society, including the media, for the success of OPSH in information and intelligence gathering.
Kebbi CP disburses N13.3m to 24 deceased officers’ families
From Olanrewaju Lawal Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Samuel Titus Musa, has disbursed about N13.3 million to 24 deceased families of the police officers who died while on official duties.
Musa,who disbursed the money at the police headquarters, Birnin Kebbi, to the next-of-kin of the deceased, advised the beneficiaries to utilise the funds for the children’s education and their welfare.
He said: “I am highly delighted to welcome you to the headquarters, Kebbi State Police Command, to witness the presentation of IGP Family Welfare Insurance and Group Personal Accident Scheme cheques worth N13,300,000 only, to 24 families of police officers who lost their lives in active service of their fatherland.
“In view of the above, I want to reiterate the determination and commitment of the Ag. Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, towards ensuring the welfare of members of the force whether dead or alive.
“The IGP’s kind gesture is not only limited at supporting and encouraging the families of deceased police officers, but, also, aimed at boosting the morale of the serving members of the force to do more in fighting crimes and criminality, as their welfare is paramount.
“At this juncture, I want to advise the beneficiaries of these cheques to use them judiciously in ameliorating their academic and other financial needs. I want to urge you all to use it for the children’s education and their welfare. Finally, I pray that the gentle souls of our departed colleagues have an eternal rest and may Almighty Allah give us the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, Amen,” he said.
In his response, on behalf of others beneficiaries, Yusuf Danlami, commended the IGP and the Commissioner of Police in the state for the money extended to the deceased families. He promised to judiciously utilise the funds according to the advice given by the CP and prayed for the protection of other officers in service, and not witness sudden death.
