Luanda — About 73 firearms of different calibres were handed over last Thursday in Luanda by the effectives of the Riot Police Command (PIR), which were illegally owned by the officers.

This happened during a ceremony prepared for this action, in the framework of the disarmament process of citizens illegally owning weapons underway in the country since last March.

On the occasion, the commander of the Riot Police, sub-commissioner Alfredo Quintino Lourenço "Nilo", said that the ceremony aims at sensitising and mobilising the civil society about the dangers that these firearms represent in the hands of unauthorised individuals.

"It is not justifiable that citizens own firearms, as there are organs for guaranteeing people's tranquillity and security", the commander stressed.

To him, the disarming of citizens in illegal possession of firearms is a preventive measure taken by the government aiming at consolidating democracy and rule of law.