Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State, asserts that his administration’s choice to provide Amotekun employees with weapons and ammo cannot be reversed.
According to Akeredolu, the weapons, which would be sanctioned by the law, are intended to be used against what he called “marauders perpetrating crimes against humanity.”
He declared that “brazen conflict entrepreneurs and armed bold non-state actors” must be faced with the unchallengeable power of the state.
The governor spoke yesterday in Akure at the passing-out of recently hired Amotekun agents.
The creation of security organizations by subnationals, according to Akeredolu, is “essential and indispensable.”
His words “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.
“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.”
Following the release of a viral video showing the Federal Government approving funding for a similar organization in Katsina State, the governor made the decision last week to buy weapons for Amotekun agents.
Additionally, he contended that it was unfair to permit non-state players to possess advanced weapons while forbidding state agents, particularly in the Niger Delta.
He had said: “That Katsina State 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.
“If the Katsina State 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 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. 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 terrorised and murdered with impunity. We will defend our people.”
Abubakar Malami, the minister of justice, and the attorney general of the federation (AGF) could not be reached for comment.
However, according to his media aide Dr. Umar Gwandu, the AGF was unwilling to engage anyone on constitutionally decided topics.
Gwandu said: “As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and the governor of Ondo State, the AGF will not join issue with him on issues that have been clearly stated in the nation’s Constitution. It is assumed he should know what the law says.”
