The Nigerian Police has warned members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, against illegally carrying firearms, saying that it is an offence and that offenders would be made to face the full brunt of the law.

The police was apparently reacting to reports credited to members of the group to the effect that they would carry firearms as a form of self-defence.

A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, stated that Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Solomon Arase, “has sternly warned members of the IPOB to reconsider their stand or face the wrath of the extant laws on bearing of firearms.”

“The IGP warns that anybody who dares security agencies in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities, and make life difficult for law abiding citizens, will face dare consequences of their actions. He cautions the IPOB members to follow appropriate avenues in ventilating their grievances as anybody who steps out of bounds will be decisively dealt with,” the statement read.

The police reminded the Biafra agitators that it is “an offence punishable under the criminal Law of the Federation of Nigeria for a person to have in his possession or under his control any prohibited firearms without licence or permit.”

The statement further said that the police will uphold the existing restriction over the use of firearms and that all zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police, AIGs, and commissioners had been directed to strictly enforce the laws against tillegal use of guns across the country.