Mohammed Adamu, acting Inspector-General of Police, has placed an embargo on the issuance of new licences for designated arms throughout the country with immediate effect.
Frank Mba, the spokesman of the Police, revealed this in statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Mba said the decision followed the proliferation of illicit weapons and the desire by some citizens to acquire more arms.
The spokesman who did not list the categories of the arms, called on Nigerians in unlawful possession of such weapons to return them to Police Stations or Public Armoury nearest to them.
He said Mr Adamu advised Nigerians to take advantage of the “voluntary arms return window” and do the right thing as there will be dire consequences for defaulters.
Mba said that the force has perfected plans to embark on a massive, nationwide Joint Arms Mopping up Operations.
He also said the operation which would be intelligent driven and target oriented, was designed to retrieve all illicit weapons in circulation.
The spokeman said that the excuse would halt the ongoing proliferation of weapons, restore law and order and bring perpetrators to justice.
