News reaching ViewPointNigeria indicates that the government of Plateau state is considering the option of granting amnesty to those in possession of firearms in the state and exchanging the arms for cash.

This is following the recovery of arms and ammunition by security agencies.

After inspecting the recovered firearms at the OPSH headquarters in Jos, Governor Simon Lalong indicated that the level of increase of firearms in circulation across Plateau State has been a major concern to security agents as locally manufactured and sophisticated weapons have been recovered following various operations carried out by the task force.

Such firearms on display were fabricated pistols, launchers, dane guns, single barrel riffles, general purpose machine guns, anti-aircraft guns, sub-machine guns including: G3, FN and AK-47 riffles as well as locally fabricated firearms among others.

Commending the security agencies for the mopping up exercise, Governor Simon Lalong appealed to youths in the possession of firearms to come out and lay down those arms with government, giving the assurance that it would address their plight.

He stressed that those ready to lay down their weapons would be compensated while the jobless will be gainfully engaged.

The government also promised that the amnesty would be granted to those that willingly surrender such firearms in exchange for cash.

Considering their expertise, Operation Safe Haven Commander, Major General Rogers Nicholas urged the state government to collaborate with the Ministry of Defence to see how some of the talented weapon fabricators could be put to good use as employees of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria

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Plateau Govt. Considers amnesty for gun fabricators