The Borno State Police Command has issued a stern warning to all armed security personnel against the reckless and indiscriminate discharge of firearms during social and public gatherings across the state.
​The directive was issued on Friday by the Borno State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, who described the ongoing trend of celebratory gunfire as dangerous, unlawful, and entirely unacceptable.
​According to a statement released by the Command, the warning covers all social events, including weddings and cultural festivities, political rallies and campaigns and other celebratory public gatherings.
​CP Abdulmajid emphasized that service firearms are strictly issued to security operatives for the preservation of law and order and the protection of lives and property, not for entertainment or showmanship.
​”Firearms are instruments of protection, not tools for celebration. Every bullet fired into the air must eventually come down, posing a fatal threat to innocent citizens and risking severe damage to property,” the Commissioner stated.
​To enforce this directive immediately, CP Abdulmajid has ordered all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) across Borno State to initiate rigorous public sensitization campaigns.
​The police command will collaborate with key grassroots stakeholders to educate the public on the legal and physical dangers of indiscriminate gunfire.
These groups include the Traditional rulers and religious leaders, Youth groups and community associations and The Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and Vigilante Security Outfits (VSOs).
​The Command warned that any security personnel regardless of agency found engaging in or abetting celebratory gunfire will face immediate disciplinary action, severe internal sanctions, and subsequent prosecution under Nigerian law.
​Furthermore, the Police Command has appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and report any security operative or civilian violating this directive to the nearest divisional headquarters. The Command assured citizens that the identities of all informants will be kept strictly confidential as part of its ongoing commitment to restoring total safety and peace to Borno State.
