GUNS have been in Fiji for decades, including weapons linked to the 1987 and 2000 coups.
This was confirmed by Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs Pio Tikoduadua, who said that when the Coalition Government came into office in 2022, it received reports of weapons being buried deep in the highlands of Ra and in the interiors of Rewa and Tailevu.
Mr Tikoduadua said the issue of unlicensed weapons had been ongoing since at least 1988, when he joined the military.
“Arms from abroad during the 1987 era. Arms sighting here and there,” he said.
“And that came through 2000 when the weapons went to Parliament.
“Some of those arms never made it back.”
He said that when the Government came into office in 2022 and 2023, similar reports and rumours continued to surface.
“And that’s almost 27 years now. And then when we came into government in 2022-23, the same rumours were going around.
“We were going out, responding to this information everywhere.”
He said unlicensed weapons had long existed in Fiji, but it remained illegal to possess firearms or ammunition without a licence.
“But the truth is that unlicensed weapons have always been around since God knows (how long).
“Maybe since the day they were first introduced. And of course, under our laws it is illegal to possess these arms if you’re not licensed to carry them.
“Including ammunition.”
Mr Tikoduadua urged members of the public who had illegal firearms or ammunition to return them.
“So, my first plea to people out there, if you have illegal arms and ammunition, I’m repeating the calls by the Commander and the Commissioner of Police, return them.
“You’re not meant to keep them, you’re not allowed to keep them.”
