Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has said the denial of the Western Security Network, Amotekun Corps, the right to bear arms by the Federal Government exposes South-West to life-threatening marauders and organised crime.

Akeredolu said while Katsina was allowed to arm its state security force, with the display of AK47, the Amotekun Corps in the South-West region of the country must not be denied the same.

The governor said this via a statement he personally issued on Thursday.

Akeredolu, who is the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, added that denying Amotekun the urgently needed right to bear arms is a repudiation of the basis of true federalism which “we have been clamoring for”.

Governor Akeredolu stated: “The video making the rounds showing the equivalent of the Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun Corps) in Katsina, obtaining the approval of the Federal Government to bear arms is fraught with great dangers. Denying Amotekun the urgently needed rights, to legitimately bear arms is a repudiation of the basis of true federalism which we have been clamoring for.

“That Katsina was able to arm its state security force, with the display of AK47 means we are pursuing one country, two systems solution to the national question.

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“If the katsina situation conferring advantages on some, in the face of commonly faced existential threats, it means that our unitary policing system, which has failed, is a deliberate method of subjugation which must be challenged.

“The Independence agreement was based on a democratic arrangement to have a federal state and devolved internal security mechanics. We must go back to that agreement.

“Denying Amotekun the right to bear arms exposes the Southwest to life-threatening marauders and organised crime. It is also a deliberate destruction of our agricultural sector. It is an existential threat.

“We want to reiterate, that what is sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander. Ondo State government under the doctrine of necessity have decided to fulfil its legal, constitutional and moral duty to the citizens of the state, by acquiring arms to protect them.

“This is more so, given that the bandits have an unchecked access to sophisticated weapons. The State government cannot look on while its citizens are being terrorised and murdered with impunity. We will defend our people,” he said.

The Star