The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has directed police commands and formations to intensify the mop-up of illicit arms and ammunition across the country ahead of the March 18 election.

Mr Baba gave the order in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Tuesday, in Abuja.

The IGP said the order was to curb the trafficking of illicit small arms and light weapons and mitigate security threats to the March 18 elections, adding that it was also for the safety of Nigerians.

“One month after handing over of previously recovered arms and ammunition to the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, the Nigeria Police has recovered additional 182 sophisticated arms and 430 ammunitions of various calibres,” he said.

Mr Baba, therefore, ordered all commands and formations to sustain the tempo, so as to halt the proliferation of illicit arms and ammunition in the country.

The IGP disclosed that logistics had been distributed to police commands and formations nationwide ahead of the governoship and Houses of Assembly elections.

He said the additional support was to ensure effective security before, during and after the elections.

According to him, the logistics include operational vehicles, non-lethal weapons, body armour and anti-riot equipment.

The IGP enjoined strategic police managers to deploy the additional operational assets and manpower to ensure proper security during the upcoming elections.

He also directed all police personnel to ensure that the elections were conducted in a peaceful and secured environment. 

(NAN)