Kumasi, Oct. 20, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Police Command has given a two-week ultimatum to all persons in possession of illegal weapons in the Kumasi Metropolis to hand them in.

The order comes ahead of a planned special exercise code named "Operation Dragnet" to retrieve illegal firearms in the metropolis. A press release signed by Police Chief Inspector Mohammed Tanko of the Public Affairs Unit, said this was part of the push to further bring down armed robberies and other violent crimes. The police have within the past week seized five unauthorized weapons in two separate operations from suspected criminals and they are helping in investigations. The release asked peop le who are either keeping unlicensed firearms or have had the registration of such weapons expired to take advantage of the grace period to do the right thing. Failure to comply with the directive would result in arrest and prosecution.

The police reminded the public that "it is an offence under the Arms and Ammunitions Act 1962 Section 118(6) to possess firearms without authority." The law does not also permit the transfer of firearms to another person without authorization. The release pleaded with the general public to provide the police with information about those they know to be carrying illegal weapons, especially locally manufactured pistols. Manufacturers of the illegal small firearms should also be reported to the police, it added.