At least 103 fire arms have been surrendered to security organs in Arusha Region in the past two weeks.
Regional commissioner Felix Tibenda told the Regional Consultative Committee (RCC) on Friday that the weapons were surrendered following his order to all who possess them illegally to voluntarily hand them to the authorities.
He said the weapons were surrendered in Ngorongoro District.
“So far we have managed to get 99 firearms from Ngorongoro District. These include assault rifles,” he said.
Earlier, the RC said he would spare none in the crackdown on people illegally possessing firearms. Mr Ntibenda was appointed RC for Arusha during a recent move by President John Magufuli.
Explaining one of his major priorities to reporters yesterday, the regional boss said the authorities were aware of community members who illegally possessed guns.
He faces a herculean task dealing with armed crime in Arusha, which has earned itself a bad reputation as one of the hot spots for illegal gun use in the country.
“Robbery incidents are rampant. Violence is on the rise, we must put an end to this,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Ntibenda told the RCC that police had seized a total of 270 sucks of bhang in Arumeru District. He said police also destroyed 25 acres of bhang in Kisimiri Juu, Ibimbwa, Ngarenanyuki and Oldonyosambu.
He said the operation to destroy bhang farms was conducted between January and December last year.
Earlier, regional Police commander Liberatus Sabas told The Citizen on Sunday that the force has been getting good cooperation from wananchi in fighting crime in the region.
He added that this effort would continue to be recognised so as to end crime in the region.
Source- The Citizen
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