[allAfrica.com] [celtel.com] Eradication of Illegal Firearms From the Country Daily Champion (Lagos) OPINION May 27, 2004 Posted to the web May 27, 2004 By Henry Udutchay Lagos WORRIED by general alarm over the state of insecurity across the country, arising from the spate of killings in the recent time, the police authorities under the dynamic leadership of the Inspector General of Police, Tafa Balogun, recently inaugurated a task force on the recovery of illegal arms and ammunitions in circulation in the country. This move is highly commendable in view of the fact that the law-abiding citizens are now living in fears over these mindless killings which are traceable to acquisition of illegal firearms in the country. Although some of the killings appear to be politically motivated, it has been argued that the politicians are responsible for arming of these criminals. This can not be far fetched given the fact that the tendency by some desperate politicians to winning election at all cost had led to some do or die measures, including the hiring of assassins to eliminate their opponents. However, like a hydra-headed monster, the political thugs who were used to fight in various election battles, have discovered that they could use these weapons to unleash terror on the larger society. This is in addition to the upsurge in the number of various ethnic militia groups who are also known to be acquiring sophisticated weapon to advance their clandestine interest. However, these groups have not only become a menace to individual lives but a threat to our corporate existence as a nation. Hence the Nigeria Police, in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the lives of the citizens, had initiated this bold step to recover all illegal firearms and ammunitions in the country. In inaugurating the 60-man task force on the recovery of illegal arms, spread across the 12 zonal commands of the police force and headed by 12 Assistant Commissioners of Police, the Inspector General of Police Tafa Balogun, observed that the alarming proliferation of illegal firearms in the country is responsible for the upsurge in violent crimes in the country. This ugly situation, he further observed, engenders general insecurity and discourages inflow of foreign investment into the country. But more seriously it has become a major threat to our nascent democracy. Tafa Balogun, who is no doubt highly disturbed by this ugly phenomenon, charged his men to give their best towards this present campaign to rid the nation of illegal firearms. The operation against illegal firearms, which the Inspector General noted would be all embracing, is being coordinated by Assistant Inspector General of Police for each zone. Since the inauguration of the task force on the 14th of March, 2004, so much success had already been recorded. In a recent report released by the force headquarters, over 300 firearms, 5,862 ammunitions and other dangerous weapons have been recovered. This is in addition to the arrest of 52 suspects, while over ten members of notorious armed robbery gang were shot dead. Although the police have performed creditably well since the operation against illegal firearm began, a lot however, still need to be done to achieve the desired objective of eliminating illegal firearms in the country. This calls for cooperation and support of the people, it has to be clearly understood that the police cannot function in isolation, they require information about those involved in the manufacturing or importation of illegal firearms into the country. These people are members of the society who live amongst us. We therefore must assist the police in their present effort to tackle the frightening phenomenon of unwarranted killing in the country. On their own part, the police authorities have been doing their best to weed off bad eggs from the force, as to enhance public confidence. This is sequel to general complaint against some bad elements in the police force, who are believed to have fallen short of the required high standard by engaging in some unwholesome activities. These bad eggs, no doubt, have cast the police in bad light thereby creating the impression that every policeman is corrupt or bad, which is the contrary. In line with his crusading effort to sanitise the police and create a new image for the force, the Inspector General of Police Tafa Balogun, inaugurated a committee to re-screen those recruited into the force from February 2000 to date. This was to ensure that nobody with questionable background or criminal record is allowed to remain in the force. The screening committee, which is divided into the 6 geo-political zones of country, is headed by 6 Deputy Inspector Generals of Police, who are charged to go into the records of all those recruited within the said period. This exercise is another bold effort to ensure that no bad egg is allowed to remain in the force. Already, the DIGs have swung into action and a lot of starting revelations have been made. It is expected that at the end of the exercise, the police would have succeeded in achieving self house cleaning, a bold initiative that is highly commendable, especially given the high prevailing corruption in the Nigerian system. There is no doubt that the Nigeria Police leadership under Tafa Balogun, has shown a remarkable commitment to providing adequate security to Nigerians. There is enough evidence to show that the Nigeria Police, since the present dispensation has been alert to its responsibilities. Although some mischief-makers have always tried to capitalise on any slightest opportunity to portray the Nigeria Police in bad light, the truth remains that Inspector General of Police Tafa Balogun and his men have performed above average. They have sacrificed their lives; they have endured all manners of difficulties to ensure our safety. It must be recalled that the present dispensation met a highly demoralised police force, totally overwhelmed by sheer superior fighting power of criminals. But that has completely changed as Balogun and his men have fully taken charge, resulting in many impressive victories over criminals in the recent time. The police have been well-armed and provided with vehicles and communication equipments to perform their duties creditably. Recently the Federal Government provided them with two new helicopters to improve their air surveillance. This is a welcome development which will no doubt help to check the recent upsurge in highway criminal activities. Certainly, IGP Balogun and his men have demonstrated a renewed commitment in their war against crime and criminal activities across the country. All they require is our total support and cooperation to enable them achieve the lofty dream of making Nigeria a crime free society.   ===============================================================================  Copyright © 2004 Daily Champion. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). ===============================================================================