Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has said the assertion of the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on the use of automatic weapons by State Security outfits betrays the current realities across the country.
Governor Akeredolu in his reply to Garba Shehu’s statement on states’ permission to bear arms said his attempt to justify the use of AK47 by the Vigilantes of Katsina State for training stands logic on its head.
Akeredolu accused Shehu of being the spokesperson for the Katsina State government that has come out openly to deny the statement on the use of guns during training.
Akeredolu in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, said the reasons adduced by Garba Shehu in his statement for the continued 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 governor said a report on TVC News showed the Katsina State Vigilante training with AK47, the same weapon refused for the use of Amotekun Corps and other State Security Outfits.
The Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum demanded where the guns used by Katsina vigilantes originated from, who approved their use and where the guns returned to the armoury after use.
He further said the guns seen from the TVC news report, were about usage, adding that what purpose does training with guns serve if it was not meant for use.
Governor Akeredolu said 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 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.
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Governor Akeredolu said his determination would spare no efforts in protecting the citizens as well as explore every available legal and constitutional means to secure the state.
He said: “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 was 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 can not do the same thing time and again and expect different results.
” I am irrevocably committed to the security of the people, particularly my state. I’ll continue to speak up in defence of the people. I’m very much committed to the realization of a constitutional amendment to reflect the current realities.”
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