By Banji Ayoola
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday responded to the move by the Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to arm Amotekun operatives with AK-47 rifles, to enable the security outfit tackle the worrisome security challenges being faced by his government caused by criminals who have been unleashing terror on his people.
He responded barely 24 hours after Akeredolu justified why the local security outfit of states in the region, Amotekun, must bear sophisticated weapons like its counterpart in the North.
Akeredolu, who is the Chairman of South West Governors Forum, had on Monday asserted that the State Security outfits backed by law whether in Western Nigeria, Katsina, Borno, Benue, any Northern state, or any Region must have access to the same sophisticated weapons that the marauders have in order to meet force with force and fight like with like.
He said that reasonable, lawful available and affordable weapons are necessary to protect the people of the region and their properties from criminals who have been unleashing terror with incalculable horrific casualties on his helpless people and as such on humanity.
But the president overruled the demand and moves, warning the governor and his 35 other counterparts nationwide against authorising the procurement of automatic weapons for their local security outfits.
He declared that Katsina State, which had often been cited by Akeredolu has not been given approval to issue automatic weapons to its vigilantes.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, President Buhari categorically declared that nobody has such latitude, except with the express permission of the National Security Adviser (NSA). It said the law enforcement agencies have been given directives to deal with any such violation.
According to the statement, which was made available to newsmen: “The Presidency wishes to strongly assert that there is no state, not Katsina, not any other state in the federation, that has been authorised to procure automatic weapons for their security outfits.
“Under this administration, the President has repeatedly made it clear that nobody is allowed to illegally carry AK-47 or any other automatic weapons and that they must surrender them. Where they fail to do so, the law enforcement agencies have been given clear directives to deal with any such outlaws.
“Under the existing regulations, only the Office of the National Security Adviser can issue such authorisation, upon proper clearance by the President and Commander-in-Chief and as it is at this moment, no such approvals have been issued to any state government.
“In the specific Katsina often cited, the governor, Aminu Bello Masari, wrote to explain that the administration invited the Provost of the Civil Defence Training College in Katsina to train their Vigilantes for a five-day period in the handling and operations of Pump Action Rifles, emphasizing that the Vigilantes were not trained to take over the responsibilities of the security agencies of the Federal Government but to assist them.”
He added that he appreciates the active involvement of states with security matters. He, however, cautions against the politicisation of security.
The statement said: “Government at the centre with a national mandate cannot afford to alienate Ondo or any other state for that matter on the important issue of security and urges leaders at various levels to exercise restraint in their speech, even as we are in a political season.”
On June 5 this year, gunmen bearing sophisticated weapons and explosives had smashed into St Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa Street Owo, Akeredolu’s home town, during Sunday worship; killed 41 people and wounded several others.
Besides, there have been many bloody incidents in which criminals had attacked communities in the state, killed many people, destroyed and burnt their property.
Prominent among these cases were the killing by criminals of Mrs Funke Olakunori, a daughter of elderstatesman and Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti; kidnap of a former presidential candidate and ex-Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Olu Falae; persistent attacks and destruction of his farms by criminal herdsmen.
Speaking at the Passing-Out Parade of Courses 3 and 4 of the State Amotekun Corps at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, Igbatoro Road, Akure, the state capital, on Monday, Akeredolu had stressed that the incontestable authority of the state must be imposed in the country which is under threat by brazen conflict entrepreneurs and armed, audacious non-state actors.
Vowing that his administration will continue to support the operational capacity of all security agencies in the State both in terms of equipment and welfare of their personnel, he stressed that the passing out ceremony is a reminder of the need to strategise and tackle the current security situation, which he said has been left to snowball into existential crises across Nigeria.
He averred that the commitment of his administration to the safety and welfare of the people of the State and investors remains unshaken and charged the new officers to do nothing that will soil the image of Amotekun Corps, adding that much is expected from them.
He charged: “The key guiding principles which you must adhere to at all times include spartan discipline, zero-tolerance to bribery and abuse of power, prompt response to distress calls and display of professionalism in the discharge of your duties. No form of misconduct shall be tolerated.”
The Governor, who noted that the current internal security framework in the country is ineffectual, submitted that the response of the subnationals by setting up their own outfits is welcome, necessary, and has become indispensable.
His words: ”The Western Nigeria Security Network, AMOTEKUN CORPS, as a response, is now not just the first line of defence, but the ultimate bulwark in the protection of a way of life and of a civilization.
“The efforts of our determined and valiant Amotekun personnel since inception must be underscored, encouraged and highly commended. We must all rise at this time to acknowledge their efforts.
“On our parts, we will continue to support the operational capacity of all security agencies in the State both in terms of equipment and the welfare of their personnel.
“The recent donation of 50-fitted patrol vehicles is a testament to our resolve to be up-to-date in fighting crime and criminality because without a secured environment, there can never be visible and sustained development.
“The Amotekun Corps must be given the tools to carry out its now pivotal, indispensable duties. For centuries, we have been admonished that “a bad workman blames his tools.” In the case of Amotekun Corps, the workman is expected to function without good tools.
“It is not only absurd, but also a dereliction of duty and a cause of disaffection. Dissatisfaction is induced by a feeling of unfairness. The crises in the conventional wisdom is life-threatening and nationwide. Therefore, it is unacceptable if the state sanctions differing rules of engagement for different sub-national governments.
“Without providing the sub-national security forces to be a counter-balancing force we have a crisis which strikes at the heart of the conception and the definition of the state itself. It is not just the definition of the State, the State itself is under existential threat.
“The modern state is defined by Treaties. The conception of the modern state beatified by these treaties gives it “an incontestable monopoly of the means of violence, intimidation and coercion.
“Those passing out today have undergone rigorous training at great expense to the state. The training will not end here it will be continuous. However, no amount of training will mask the debilitation of fighting with one arm tied against implacable foes.
“Amotekun must therefore be armed and will be armed and be backed by law. Otherwise, the training will be inadequate and we will be placing the lives of these great patriots in danger.”
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