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The Delta State government has issued a 30-day ultimatum for individuals in possession of illegal weapons in Ugolo/Okorikpere, located in the Okpe Local Government Area. Failure to comply will result in legal consequences.
Engr. Udoka Emmanuel, serving as the Executive Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Security, announced in a statement acquired by SaharaReporters on Thursday that the youths are required to surrender them between January 1 and January 31, 2025.
The statement reveals that the amnesty follows serious allegations involving numerous youths from both communities, who are reportedly in possession of firearms and substantial quantities of ammunition.
The government has announced that it has instructed security agencies to take action against any civilian found in possession of firearms should further shootings occur in the area. He stated that unchecked proliferation of arms could pose a threat to future generations of residents in both areas.
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The statement includes a directive issued following a meeting involving the Ekpan police DPO, CSP Aliyu Shaba, security appointees from the Delta State Government led by Engr. Udoka Emmanuel, military representatives, the DSS, the PG of Ugolo community, and other security stakeholders.
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This meeting addressed the recent communal crisis between Ugolo community and certain leaders from the affected areas.
The directive calls for all individuals in possession of illegal weapons from both communities to surrender them between January 1, 2025, and January 31, 2025, or face legal consequences.
The statement emphasised that without intervention in the ongoing arms procurement within the affected communities, both local residents and indigents could face an uncertain and unsafe future for their descendants.
The administration of His Excellency Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, is committed to ensuring that irresponsible individuals do not wield firearms without regard for the safety and progress of our communities. The weapon surrender period is set to commence today and will extend for one month.
In this timeframe, individuals found in unauthorised possession of firearms are required to inform the Weapons Takeover Delegates, led by DSP Waziri of the Ekpan Division, along with Engr. Udoka Emmanuel, the Executive Assistant for Security.
Notifications can also be made through the Presidents General of both communities. “I was instructed to issue a warning that beginning on January 2, 2025, law enforcement agencies, including the police, military, and DSS, will initiate a significant manhunt for suspected gun runners found in possession of these firearms.
This warning and directive do not impact the ongoing investigation into the recent shootings in the area, where five individuals, including a teenager, were struck by stray bullets.
“In the event of any further shooting incidents in the area, security agencies have been instructed to take decisive action against anyone found in possession of firearms.
Ignoring this warning could put your life at risk,” it stated.
