The Osun State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to ridding the state of illegal small arms and light weapons. This move follows a strategic engagement with the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW). The meeting, which took place on October 6, 2026, at the Command Headquarters in Osogbo, focused on the proliferation of illegal small arms and light weapons.
The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Zungura, received the Southwest Director of the NCCSALW, CP Abiodun M. Alamutu (Rtd.), and his team. Discussions centered on intelligence sharing, community engagement, coordinated operations, and public sensitisation. These strategic measures aim to prevent the circulation and use of illegal arms for criminal activities, cultism, communal violence, and other threats to public safety.
CP Zungura appreciated the delegation for the visit and reaffirmed the Command's commitment to supporting efforts targeted at reducing the availability of illegal firearms and other dangerous weapons in Osun State. He emphasized that the recovery of illicit arms requires sustained collaboration between security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders, relevant government agencies, and members of the public.
The Commissioner urged citizens in possession of illegal firearms to voluntarily surrender them to the appropriate authorities. He warned that the Command would not relent in its drive to mop up such weapons. The Command assured the people of Osun State that it would continue to deploy intelligence-led policing, lawful enforcement measures, and strategic partnerships to safeguard lives and property and maintain peace across the State.
The engagement is seen as part of renewed efforts by security agencies in the South-West to tackle the growing challenge of illegal arms proliferation. This challenge has been linked to rising cases of armed robbery, kidnapping, cult clashes, and communal conflicts in the region. The Osun State Police Command is taking proactive steps to address this issue.
The meeting between the Osun State Police Command and the NCCSALW highlights the importance of collaboration in addressing the issue of illegal arms proliferation. The two agencies will work together to identify, retrieve, and remove illicit firearms from the possession of non-state actors. This joint effort aims to enhance public safety and security in Osun State.
The Osun State Police Command's efforts to combat illegal arms proliferation are ongoing. The Command will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders, including traditional institutions, community leaders, and members of the public, to ensure the success of this initiative. The goal is to create a safer and more secure environment for the people of Osun State.
Key points
- The Osun State Police Command partners with the NCCSALW to combat illegal arms proliferation.
- The Commissioner of Police urges citizens to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms.
- The engagement aims to enhance public safety and security in Osun State.
