Chief Nweke Nweke, the Anambra Vigilance Group’s Director of Media and Publicity, announced that the organisation would launch a mop-up operation to seize illegal firearms from people or organisations operating without permits in the state.
Nweke, who made this announcement during a news conference on Sunday, revealed that the action was a result of their learning that criminal gangs and hoodlums operating in the state have illegally obtained firearms.
In order to identify people who have lawfully and illegally obtained firearms, check on lawful users, and reclaim them from illegal users, he added that the action is being performed with the help of the state police command and other security teams.
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“The state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, is not backing down from his campaign promises to create a livable and thriving Anambra State,” he declared. We wholeheartedly support the administration’s efforts to protect the environment for visitors, residents, and other stakeholders.
“We will eliminate any criminals posing a threat to the state’s security. In Anambra State, only the AVG is permitted to carry weapons with pump actions. Despite being illegal, you can see certain unidentified people and groups using the device.
“AVG will launch a mop-up operation with other joint security teams to track down individuals or organisations utilising illegal firearms and seize them from the general public. We will verify that users are real.
It has been found that the majority of these criminals, who are posing security risks in the state and throughout Nigeria, obtained their firearms illegally. We are requesting pertinent information from the public to help security.
“We are also urging people to identify themselves to the appropriate authorities if they have legitimate reasons to own firearms.”
He claimed that only private security guards who were either members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps or well-known to the state government were allowed to possess guns, such as pump actions.
Additionally, he urged the general people to view the AVG as allies in progress, especially by yielding to them in traffic, as holding up their convoys could hinder their efforts to capture criminals.
“As baby police, we are dedicated to safeguarding people’s lives and property in Anambra State. Please allow our convoys room if you see us on the road or in the streets.
“Don’t hinder us. Do not attempt to block our actions or movements. Do not call us foul names as we work to provide you with better service. Stopping us could prevent us from achieving our goals. You have no idea whether there are criminals we are chasing down, he continued.
