By Michael Ofulue
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In its determination to ensure that illegally acquired arms and ammunitions are mopped from the society, the Ondo State police command yesterday warned those who illegally acquired arms and were yet to surrender  their guns to do so before the hands of the law caught  up with them.

The warning was sequel to the directive from the IGP, Mohammed Adamu, compelling the state commissioners of police to ensure they mop up  illegally acquired guns that were  in wrong hands.

The Acting Inspector General of police, Mr Mohammed Adamu had in a meeting with State Commissioners of Police and above directed them to start mopping up illegally acquired guns that were  in  wrong hands.

Speaking with The Hope Metro on the development, the State Police Public relations officer (PPRO),  Mr Femi Joseph, said the command has continuously  appealed  to the members of the public who are still in  possession of unauthorised guns to submit them to the nearest police stations across the 18  local government areas of the State.

He said the decision to withdraw  illegal weapons from the hands of unauthorised members of the public is to ensure that people of dubious character do not use them to threaten the relative peace before, during and after the conduct of the general elections.

His words, “IGP Adamu has given the directive to every state police command to, as a matter of urgency, start mopping up all illegally acquired guns that are in wrong hands.

“And we have complied with the directive.  Even prior to the directive, we have been warning those who are yet to submit their guns to do so before we go after them.

“We have severally appealed to the general public through the media to submit their illegal guns to the nearest police station or post in their respective jurisdictions or local governments.

“There have been a significant progress,  but we are also begging those who are still having such illegal weapons to quickly submit them or be ready to face the consequence if arrested,” Joseph said.

While assuring the people that adequate and necessary security measures have been put in place to ensure peaceful general elections, he warned criminal elements to have a rethink because the law enforcement agencies  everywhere keeping their eagle eyes on the movement of people.

“Anybody, irrespective of how highly placed in the society if caught in any act of criminality will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“So, we want to call on the   law-abiding citizens to go about their lawful duties without any fear of intimidation and molestation.