Kogi State Governor Sets Up  Special Task Force On Firearms Proliferation

The Governor of Kogi State, in North Central Nigeria, Yahaya Bello, has approved the constitution of a special Task Force on Firearms Proliferation in the state.

To this end, the Governor has approved appointment of Mr. Friday Sani, a youth activist and former state Legislator in Kogi State as Director-General of newly established special Task Force on arms proliferation and illegal possession as the state Governorship election beckons.

Mr. Friday’s appointment was conveyed via a letter by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Folashade Ayoade, dated 8th May, 2023.

According to the letter of appointment, “the decision of the State Government to set up the Special Task Force is part of recalibration efforts in the security architecture of the state to ensure that firearms are not illegally smuggled into the state to perpetrate the nefarious activities of criminal elements as government is committed to ensuring reduction of criminality to near-zero level in the state.

“We recognise increase in proliferation of arms in the state and we cannot afford a situation where firearms are in the hands of people who are neither licensed nor trained to handle them. The Taskforce will also afford those already in possession of firearms illegally to submit them voluntarily.”

The statement describes the appointee, Mr. Friday Sanni, as one with “vast knowledge in security studies.”
Confidence Okwuchi