Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has faulted the Federal Government’s refusal to authorise state government to procure weapons for their security outfits, saying “we cannot fight armed enemies of the people with our bare hands”.
Akeredolu said it is illogical to continue to fight assailants who bear sophisticated weapons to kidnap and harm people with bare hands.
The Presidency had, in a statement on Tuesday, said no citizen is allowed to illegally carry AK-47 or any other automatic weapons in the statement.
The Presidency, in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, stated that only the Office of the National Security Adviser can issue such authorisation, upon proper clearance by President Muhammadu Buhari, stressing that no such approvals have been issued to any state government.
This was in reaction to Governor Akeredolu’s statement who alleged that Katsina State was allowed to arm its state security force, with the display of AK47, adding that the Amotekun Corps in the South-West region of the country must not be denied the same.
However, Akeredolu, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, said the government has a fundamental duty to protect the people, noting that it is a task that must be accomplished without excuse.
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Akeredolu, who is the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, further vowed to explore every available legal and constitutional means to secure Ondo State and its people, stressing that he would spare no efforts in protecting the people.
The governor added that the Federal Government’s refusal to approve of the use of sophisticated weapons by state security outfits “can no longer be plausible in the face of increasing security challenges being faced by the people.”
The statement added: “The assertion of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity on the use of automatic weapons by state security outfits betrays the current realities across the country. His attempt to justify the use of AK47 by the Vigilantes of Katsina State for training stands logic on its head.
“The report by the TVC News that went viral showed the Kastina State Vigilante training with AK47. This is the same weapon which approval has vehemently been refused for the use of Amotekun Corps and other state security outfits.
“Governor Akeredolu has reiterated that state security outfits backed by law whether in Western Nigeria, Katsina, Borno, Benue, or any Northern state must have access to the same sophisticated weapons that the criminals have. It time to face down these enemies of the people.
“It is illogical to continue to fight hardened marauders who bear sophisticated weaponry to kidnap and maim our people with bare hands. We cannot fight armed enemies of the people with our bare hands.
“It is our firm belief that the government has a fundamental duty to protect the people. It is a task that must be accomplished without excuse.
“Governor Akeredolu is determined to spare no efforts in protecting the people. He has vowed to explore every available legal and constitutional means to secure the state and its people.
“The Southern Nigeria Governors Forum has called for the establishment of State Police. The 19 Northern State Governors and Northern Traditional Rulers Council have also supported the call for State Police.
“The call by the sub-national should be heeded and change effected where necessary.
“Every Governor sworn to an oath to protect the state and the people. The sub-national must be allowed to put in place security forces as a counter-balancing force to face these marauders who have unchecked access to sophisticated weapons.
“It is high time we tackled these conflict entrepreneurs and restore the confidence of the people. We cannot do the same thing time and again and expect different result.
“Governor Akeredolu is irrevocably committed to the security of the people, particularly his state. He will continue to speak up in defense of the people. He is very much committed to the realization of constitutional amendment to reflect the current realities,” Olatunde stated.
