By Ayodeji Dedeigbo
The Sokoto Commissioner of police, CP Ibrahim Sani Kaoje yesterday received 102 sophisticated arms from the state government, as arms surrendered by repentant bandits in the ongoing Peace and Reconciliation Initiative launched by the state government.
Blackbox Nigeria gathered that the received AK 47 rifles had the following breech numbers: ’11’1978GL03897, ’11’ 1974 HK 06350, EE 09361990, 18846, ’11’ 1976 HJ 01876, R18015, 1974239539, 02829-1967, DB 1628/844/1975, AB 163385, ET615, 1566 WB 5718, 1978 HD 4210, 5911695, 5622627602, 787884, 11825, 1974X1015, 1988CX00572, 1974TN9615, KL344125, 1940, 07512, 07412070, R35829.
One pump action with 2035 breech number; 3 rifles with breech numbers: G3-G087618, G3-112773, G3-97002138, 2 empty magazines, K2 rifle with breech number: 302125, Smg rifles with breech numbers; 1949 NOF81754, H221220, one beretta with breach number: 13656, FNC rifles with breech numbers: 12094367, 10341350, 205796, 62127, GPMGs with breech numbers; 6586, “36” 904934, 328/2, 2041, 6522, 7269239, 707680, Mark 4 rifles with breech numbers :8111156, 11317328, 56 six locally made rifles and 4 empty magazines were also received.
The Commissioner of Police also assured the general public that this phase of disarmament simply marks the beginning of the process, as more arms will be recovered. While urging the Repentant Bandits to continue to be law abiding citizens, he warned those that may refuse to toe the line of this peace process to embrace the Initiative, as plans have been perfected by the State Police Command and other Security Agencies to ensure complete disarmament of Bandits.
The State Governor, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal CFR, while handing over the arms to the CP, stated that, there is an appreciable need to embrace dialogue and disarm the Bandits as well as rehabilitate these Bandits by coming up with a robust welfare package. While thanking the Police, The Governor called for more Bandits to repent and urged the good people of Sokoto to continue to be law abiding as they go about their legitimate activities.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 10, AIG Muhammad A. Mustafa responded by pledging complete dedication of the Police to the Peace Initiative in the State, he equally stated that the season of recovery of both arms and ammunition has just begun in the State. He equally called for community based policing as a tool to enhance the security architecture of the State.
