Delta State Issues 30-Day Ultimatum for Surrender of Illegal Weapons Amid Rising Tensions
The Delta State government has given residents of Ugolo/Okorikpere in Okpe Local Government Area a 30-day deadline to surrender all illegal weapons or face severe legal consequences. The directive was issued by Engr. Udoka Emmanuel, the Executive Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Security, in a statement released on January 1, 2025.
The government’s amnesty comes in response to growing concerns about youths in both communities being in possession of firearms and large quantities of ammunition. The deadline for surrendering illegal weapons is set to end on January 31, 2025.
According to the statement, the government has instructed security agencies to take decisive action against any individual caught with firearms after this period, with explicit orders to confront any civilian carrying a weapon in the region. The government stressed that the unchecked spread of arms could have serious long-term consequences for the security and future of the communities.
The statement read, “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 continued, “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 amnesty period will last for one month, and during this time, those in unauthorized possession of firearms are urged to surrender them to designated authorities, including DSP Waziri (SO, Ekpan Division), Engr. Udoka Emmanuel, and the PG of the communities. The government made it clear that failure to comply with the directive will result in a serious manhunt, with police, military, and DSS forces moving aggressively to track down and apprehend individuals possessing illegal firearms after February 1, 2025.
The statement further warned that any future incidents of gunfire in the area would prompt security agencies to take immediate action against anyone seen with weapons.
“This warning and directive don’t in any way 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,” it concluded.
