The Commissioner of Police in Zamfara, Ayuba Elkana, has maintained that the force is not ready to remove the embargo placed on firearms licence.
The commissioner is responding to the directive issued by the state government that the people in the state must obtain arms, secure license from the police so as to defend themselves from rioting bandits.
Elkana insisted that the force has stopped issuing licence to citizens who wished to own guns.
Recall that the Zamfara State Government called on residents to arm and defend themselves against the ravaging bandits in the state
The state government made this disclosure through a statement by its commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara.
According to him, the Zamfara government is now ready to secure basic weapons for the people, especially farmers, to defend themselves.
Dosara further that the government has directed the commissioner of police in the state to provide licenses to those eligible to carry arms within the state.
The statement reads; Government has henceforth, directed individuals to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against the bandits, as government has directed the state commissioner of police to issue license to all those who qualify and are wishing to obtain such guns to defend themselves.
“Government is ready to facilitate people, especially our farmers to secure basic weapons for defending themselves. Government has already concluded arrangements to distribute 500 forms to each of the 19 Emirates in the state for those willing to obtain guns to defend themselves.”
The commissioner in a reaction, however, maintained his unawareness about the directive, stressing the ban on firearms licensing remains in force.
