Delta Govt Offers 30-Day Amnesty For Gun-Runners, Others To Surrender Illegal Firearms, Ammunition

The Delta State government has issued a 30-day ultimatum for all individuals in possession of illegal weapons in the Ugolo/Okorikpere area of Okpe Local Government to surrender them, warning that failure to comply will result in legal consequences.

Engr. Udoka Emmanuel, the Executive Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Security made this known in a statement obtained by SaharaReporters on Thursday, saying the youths have from January 1 till January 31, 2025 to surrender them. 

According to the statement, the amnesty is coming on the heels of strong allegations against many youths of both communities who are in possession of firearms and large numbers of ammunition.

The government said it has directed security agencies to bring down any civilian seen with firearms if there is any more shooting in the area. 

He asserted that if the proliferation of arms is not checked, it may threaten the future generations of residents in both.

The statement reads in part, "After a meeting with the Ekpan police DPO, CSP Aliyu Shaba, security appointees of the Delta State Government headed by Engr. Udoka Emmanuel, the military, DSS, PG of Ugolo community and other security stakeholders regarding the recent communal crisis between Ugolo community and some leaders of the affected communities, I have been directed to give all persons in possession of illegal weapons of  both communities from today 1/1/25 through 31/1/25 to surrender them or face the wrath of the law.”

It further said, "If the present spate of arms procurement in the affected communities is not checked, indigents and residents of both communities may witness unsecured future for their next generation.

"The Government of His Excellency Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State will not allow unscrupulous elements to continue to brandish guns without recourse to the safety and development of our communities.

"The period of the weapon surrender would last for one month beginning from today. During this period, those in unauthorised possession of arms shall notify the Weapons Takeover Delegates headed by DSP Waziri (SO, Ekpan Division) and Engr. Udoka Emmanuel, Executive Assistant (Security) or through the PG of both communities.

"I was also directed to warn that failure to adhere to this directive, from 1/2/25, the police, the military and the DSS will launch a serious manhunt on the suspected gun runners in possession of these fire arms. 

"This warning and directive don't in anyway affect the ongoing investigation over the recent shootings in the area where 5 persons including a teenager were hit by stray bullets.

"And should there be any shooting again in the area, we have directed the security agencies to bring down anyone sighted with firearms.”

"If you take this warning for granted, you may be playing with your life,” it added.