Police in Ethiopia have arrested eleven individuals in a crackdown on illegal firearms possession in the capital, Addis Ababa and recovered arms and ammunition.
In a statement on Tuesday the metropolitan police said they recovered a total of 16 hand grenades and nine pistols along with 84 bullets during searches conducted in a few sub cities.
Four arrests were made in two districts of the Nifas Silk sub-city after five pistols and 53 bullets were found in two homes.
Similarly, police apprehended another four suspects and recovered four pistols along with 30 bullets and a hand grenade from their home in the Mikileland area of Addis Ketema sub-city.
Police also nabbed three suspects in Gulele sub-city after finding 15 hand grenades being trafficked in the hidden compartment of a pick-up truck, licensed with a 5-01928 AA plate number.
Investigation into the illicit weapon holding and trafficking cases is still in progress.
Police appreciated the public’s support in the crackdown on firearms and urged the city’s residents to stay vigilant in protecting their neighborhood from anti-peace elements.
The crackdown on illegal arms holding and trafficking will also be continued, the police added.
Ethiopia’s gun law, ratified in 2020, prohibits the possession of weapons without a valid license and outlaws the selling and transferring of any weapon.
Illegal bulk sale of weapons is punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment under this law.
MG/as/APA