By Steve Oni, Ilorin 

During its mop-up exercise drive, the Kwara state Police Command has made a significant recovery of a number of firearms from certain individuals in the state. This was sequel to an ultimatum of 21 days given to people in possession of unauthorised/prohibited firearms nationwide to voluntarily submit same to public armoury. 

In compliance with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim K. Idris, to all Police Commands in Nigeria, the Kwara state Commissioner of Police, Lawan Ado, had set up a Task Force headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police to mop up such illegal firearms in the state. 

In the wake of the mop up exercise, firearms recovered included 32 single barrel, four locally made cut-to-size single barrel rifles, seven locally made Coney single barrel, one locally made double barrel pistol and three cut-to-size double barrel guns. 

Others were one AK47 rifle, one double barrel, one English made pistol and one locally made single barrel pistol/two cartridges. 

Briefing journalists in Ilorin, the state capital, CP Ado said the enforcement of the mop up and recovery of illegal and prohibited firearms still in possession of people that failed to voluntarily surrender them has commenced with immediate effect, adding that anybody arrested now would be prosecuted. 

The CP also disclosed that the date of withdrawal of all police personnel attached to VIPs, government officials, corporate organisations and political office holders has been extended to 20th April, 2018. He said the extension was to enable the affected officials reapply for revalidation of the authority through Commissioner of Police for IGP's approval. 

Ado also used the occasion to warn members of the public against illegal use of siren, covering of plate numbers and the use of spy numbers, saying all those using such must reapply to IGP through the Force Transport Officer, Abuja. Directing Divisional Police Officers across the state to ensure compliance with the directives, the CP said the Command was set to start arresting offenders. 

The Command has also arrested a man in possession of three human skulls. The CP said the police intercepted a commercial vehicle along Ogbomosho-Eiyenkorin express way conveying seven passengers and when search was conducted "three skulls wrapped in a sack were recovered from a black bag belonging to one of the passengers, named Suleiman Ajenifuja, who admitted being the owner of the exhibits and claimed to be bringing them to Ilorin from Lagos for ritual purposes. "  He said investigation was still on and the suspect would be charged to court after investigation. 

He also disclosed that the Command, acting on intelligence, intercepted one Wahab Ramoni along Unity road in Ilorin driving a Toyota Camry car with Reg. N. Lagos AKD 287 EE. Upon interrogation, the CP said the man confessed that he got the car from one Omolayo Raphael of Ogbondoroko area via Ilorin. According to the CP,  "the car was however linked to one Ganiyu who is currently in Federal Prison Yard in Ilorin", adding that the car would be released to the owner after investigation, while the suspect would be charged to court.