The Ministry of the Interior has announced a six-week nationwide gun amnesty, urging all individuals in possession of unregistered or illicit firearms to voluntarily surrender them or face stringent legal consequences.
The exercise, which forms part of government’s renewed effort to curb gun violence and stem the proliferation of illegal weapons, will run from December 1, 2025, to January 15, 2026.
According to the Ministry, the initiative provides a safe and confidential opportunity for people to hand over unregistered firearms without fear of arrest or prosecution, as long as the weapons are surrendered within the stipulated window.
Launching the Gun Amnesty Initiative, Minister for the Interior Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak cautioned that the state will adopt a zero-tolerance stance after the deadline.
“Anyone found in possession of illicit weapons after January 15 will face severe sanctions. This exercise is crucial to building safer communities and reducing the disturbing rise in gun-related incidents,” the Minister stressed.
As part of the crackdown, the Ministry has also imposed a temporary ban on the use of firearms during traditional festivities within the amnesty period, a measure aimed at discouraging celebratory gunfire and preventing needless injuries or fatalities.