Ban On Firearms Remains In Effect; CP Ayuba Elkana Warns Governor Bello Matawalle On Buy Guns, Defend Yourselves Permit
Ayuba Elkana, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Zamfara State Command, has stated that the embargo on firearms licences remains in effect, noting that the police have stopped issuing licences to citizens who want to own guns.
The CP stated this on Sunday, in response to inquiries from The PUNCH about the directive by the state government that the police command should issue gun licences to those eligible to bear arms.
The Zamfara State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Dosara, had in a statement on Sunday, disclosed that the government had directed residents of the state to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against bandits who have been terrorising the state.
The government, therefore, directed the state Commissioner of Police to issue licences to all those who qualify and are willing to obtain guns to defend themselves.
Dosara had said, “The government has, henceforth, directed individuals to prepare and obtain guns to defend themselves against the bandits, as the government has directed the state Commissioner of Police to issue a licence to all those who qualify and wish to obtain such guns to defend themselves.
“The government is ready to facilitate people, especially our farmers, to secure basic weapons for defending themselves.
The government has already concluded an arrangement to distribute 500 forms to each of the 19 emirates in the state for those willing to obtain guns to defend themselves.
People must apply to the Commissioner of Police to own guns and other basic weapons to be used in defending themselves.
A secretariat or centre will be established for the collection of intelligence on the activities of informants.
However, in response to the directive, the state Commissioner of Police stated that he has yet to receive any directive to issue gun licences to citizens.
In a telephone interview with The PUNCH, Elkana said, “I have not received any directives and also, there is a ban on firearms licences and we don’t give licences.”
“I have yet to receive any directives.” Let me see the directive first before I can comment. I have not seen the directive, so I cannot comment on compliance. “
Asked if the government’s decision was a vote of no confidence in the police, the CP replied, “There is nothing like a vote of no confidence, please.” This is farming season and you cannot get police or any security to follow everybody to the farm. They are attacking people on the farm; that is the problem. It is not as if we are not doing our best; we are doing our best. Recently, we rescued many people from bandits.
The force’s public relations officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, declined to comment on the matter when contacted.
