LAGOS, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The police in Nigeria on Monday embarked on intensive recovery of fire arms in the possession of unauthorized persons and security outfits across the country.

Nigeria's Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has directed his officers to commence the recovery of prohibited firearms across the country.

The measure is part of efforts to contain sectarian violence in parts of the country which has claimed many lives.

In southern Enugu State, the police on Monday set up a joint task force to mop up illegal fire arms and ammunition in the state.

State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Danmallam, told reporters that the task-force comprised personnel from State and Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department and mobile police units.

The commissioner urged all persons with fire arms and ammunition to re-verify and re-validate them in the command within 14 days.

He said anyone caught with illegal fire arms and ammunition would henceforth be prosecuted.

In southwest Ondo State, the police gave residents of the state a 21-day ultimatum to submit all illegal fire arms to the nearest police station.

In the same vein, Don Awunah, the Commissioner of Police in oil rich Bayelsa, said it has set up a task force to mop up illegal firearms across the state.

The commissioner warned that the command would henceforth treat and prosecute persons arrested for unlawful possession of firearms and trafficking in illegal weapons as terrorists, armed robbers, kidnappers and cultists.

Also, in the restive northeast Adamawa state, police gave illegal firearms owners two weeks to surrender their arms or face arrest and prosecution.