Anambra Vigilance Group has said they will embark on a mop-up action to recover prohibited firearms from unlicensed individuals or groups in the state.
The Director, Media and Publicity of the vigilante group, Chief Nweke Nweke, disclosed this in a press conference on Sunday.
The PUNCH reported that he said the move was part of their discoveries that hoodlums and criminal elements operating in the state have acquired firearms illegally.
He added that the action is being taken with the support of the state police command and other security teams, with a view to identifying persons who have legally and illegally acquired firearms, checkmating legitimate users, and recovering them from illegal users.
He said, “The state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, is not relenting on his campaign promises to make Anambra State liveable and prosperous. We are solidly behind the administration’s resolve to secure the environment for investors, residents, and others.
“We will wipe out all the hoodlums constituting security threats in the State. Only the AVG is allowed to bear firearms like pump actions in Anambra State. It is a prohibited device but you can see some unidentifiable individuals and groups using them.
“AVG with other joint security teams will embark on mop-up action to identify people or groups using prohibited firearms and recover them from the public. Genuine users will be checkmated.
“It has been discovered that most of these hoodlums, who are causing security challenges in the state and all over Nigeria, acquired firearms illegally. We are calling on the public to assist security with relevant information.
“We are also calling on individuals or groups with genuine reasons to possess firearms to identify with relevant authorities”
According to him, firearms such as pump actions were prohibited from non-AVG members with the exception of private security guards either registered with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps or known to the state government.
He also enjoined the public to see the AVG as partners in progress, especially by making ways for them while in traffic, as delaying their convoys could affect their drives to apprehend criminals.
“We are committed to the protection of lives and properties in Anambra State as baby police. If you see us on the highway or streets, kindly give way for our convoys.
“Don’t stop us. Do not try to obstruct our movements or operations. Do not call us unprintable names as we try to serve you better. If you stop us, it can make us not meet up with our targets. You don’t know if there are criminals we are trying to catch up with,” he added.
