Police Chief Calls for Swift Destruction of Seized Arms to Tackle Insecurity

By Kemi Folarin 

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, has called for the speedy retrieval and disposal of recovered illegal arms to curb insecurity in the State. 

He made the call at a seminar organised by the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The Police Commissioner described the seminar as timely, noting that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons continues to fuel criminal activities and threaten national security. 

He stressed that illicit firearms remain major tools in the hands of criminals and non-state actors.

Ojajuni explained that while security agencies have recorded successes in the recovery of illegal weapons, many of them remain in armouries after court proceedings due to delays in post-judgment processes. 

He therefore advocated a centralised system for the proper tracking, retrieval and destruction of such arms to prevent further risks.

The seminar, led by the South-West Director of the Centre, retired Commissioner of Police Abiodun Alamutu, brought together key stakeholders including the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, Department of State Services, Nigeria Immigration Service, the military and the Ministry of Justice. 

Participants shared strategies to strengthen arms control, while the Police Commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.