Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has made it clear that his government will arm the Western Nigeria Security Network popularly known as Amotekun Corps with firearms to protect the lives and properties of the people.
This, as he said, became expedient after a viral video showed the equivalent of the Amotekun corps in Katsina State obtaining approval from the Federal Government to bear arms.
“The video making the rounds showing the equivalent of the Western 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 right, to legitimately bear arms is a repudiation of the basis of true federalism which we have been clamouring for.
That Katsina was able to arm its state security force, with the display of AK47 means we are pursuing a one country, two systems” solution to the national question. 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.”
Governor Akeredolu made it clear that the approval to Katsina showed that the country was operating on two systems. He stated that it also shows a deliberate act to expose the South-West to marauders and also the destruction of its agricultural sector.
“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 organized crime. It is also 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 unchecked access to sophisticated weapons. The State government cannot look on while its citizens are being terrorized and murdered with impunity. We will defend our people.”
Recall that many States in Nigeria have been threatened by the Fulani herdsmen, unknown gunmen and other marauders and due to this, the South West and South East created Amotekun and Ebubeagu respectively to protect the citizens.
But the Federal Government stated that the State security network will not bear arms so they were mandated by their State Government to patrol the nooks and crannies of the States to fish out the infiltrators hidden in most bushes.
