A US returnee, Ailabogie Aikpaojie arrested by the Lagos Police command for unlawful possession of firearms has said he bought them from the state police command.

Speaking with journalists on Friday when he was paraded, Aikpaojie who owns three pump action single barrelled guns and 250 live cartridges said he has done nothing wrong.

“I’m not a criminal, I wonder why I was being paraded,” he exclaimed.

The suspect said he bought the firearms from the Lagos State Police Command sometime in 2002 when he needed protection.

He explained, “I had security challenge then, so I approached the police commissioner at that time. I told him I had a function in my village and I needed to be protected. I purchased the guns here in this Lagos State Police Command (Ikeja). I purchased the three pump action guns here.

“That place (pointing at the armoury) was where they sold the guns to me and this (pointing) box of cartridges. That other building (pointing) was where I did the licences for the three guns and I was given. But the licences are now with the Area Commander; they have seized them.

“Each of these (pump action) guns cost me N150,000, but I can’t remember how much I paid for the cartridges. Can anyone prove that I used it to commit crime? I need the guns for security.”

He asked why he is being arrested by the same police who sold the guns to him.

He added, “If the police know I’m not supposed to have these pump action guns, why sell them to me? They brought someone who sold them to me right here on this police ground. In fact, I couldn’t take them out after they sold them to me until the licences were ready.”

He added that he was arrested while taking the gun to the command to renew the license.

He added, “I came to Nigeria on June 19. I was on my way to the office, driving, and I reversed to buy plantain when I was stopped. During their search, they asked where I got the gun on me and I told them I was taking the gun to the Command for licencing because it mistakenly came with my personal effect to this country. I expected the policeman to tell me how to go about it but instead he locked me up.

“Yes, I have a pistol. Illegal possession? Yes, but with an explanation. Can anyone prove that I use it to commit crime?”