Police Revoke Firearms Licences In Rivers

Rivers State Police Command has revoked all licences for firearms.
The state Police Commissioner, Mr Dan Bature, who spoke through Rivers Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, said the move was aimed at reducing the number of firearms in circulation in the state.
The commissioner said anyone caught with firearms in the state after the order would be treated like a criminal.
“The Rivers State Police Command observes with grave concern the continued recovery of firearms and ammunition from individuals across the state,” he said.
According to him, “Individuals and associations in possession of licensed firearms are by this release informed that such licenses have since been revoked. Accordingly, members of the public are ordered to surrender such firearms and ammunition to the public armouries in their area of jurisdiction.
“The command will henceforth treat anyone arrested with such firearms as a criminal and be made to face the full wrath of the law, please,” he added.
The action of the police may not be unconnected to the renewed wave of violence as campaign hots up in the state.
It would be recalled that gunmen  had opened fire on a vehicle which had the member representing Okrika/Ogu/Bolo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Bright Tamuno Gogo, Rivers State House of Assembly candidate, Hon Datorudimabo Adams and the immediate past councilor of Okrika Local Government council, Hon Hope George as occupants.
George sustained fatal injuries, while others, including Gogo sustained gunshot wounds, and are now receiving treatment in the hospital.
The victims were on their way to attend the governorship rally of the PDP in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The PDP, in a statement by Jerry Needam, special adviser on media to state PDP Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah on Saturday called on the state commissioner of police to investigate the incident.
The APC had last week also raised alarm over the attack on buses conveying its supporters to Port Harcourt for the presidential campaign flag off, resulting in the hospitalization of nine party faithful.

Rivers State APC gubernatorial candidate, Dr Dakuku Adol Peterside raising the hand of his running mate, Hon Asita Honourable (right). With them are House of Representatives candidate for Bonny/Degema Constituency, Hon Aye Pepple, during the APC rally in Bonny, at the weekend.