Allow Amotekun Operatives Carry AK-47, Makinde Urges FG
- Pressure is mounting on the federal government to allow regional security outfits to carry more sophisticated weapons
- Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has added his voice to the calls, saying that the Amotekun of the southwest need better weapons
- A senator from the state also added his voice to the calls, saying there is a need for the security outfit to match criminal elements
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Ibadan, Oyo - Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has asked the federal government to grant southwest governors the powers to equip their respective Amotekun operatives with sophisticated firearms like AK-47.
On Tuesday, June 8, the governor made the suggestion in response to the recent Igangan mayhem where dozens of indigenes were killed by suspected armed herdsmen.
According to Governor Makinde, the operations of Amotekun in tackling criminality continues to be limited because the operatives do not have sophisticated weapons to match that of criminal elements.
Source: Facebook
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Nigeria Tribune reports that the governor commented on an event held at the University of Ibadan.
His words:
“You have dane gun and you are faced with people carrying AK-47. If it is in terms of investment, if we are given the authority, I will also buy AK-47 for Amotekun if given the licence.”
Similarly, Senator Kola Balogun representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the Senate has appealed to the federal government to license Amotekun to bear arms.
The senator commented while featuring on a Channels Television programme on Monday, June 7.
The senator representing the affected area condemned the attack, adding that all hands must be on the deck to ensure there is no repeat of such attack.
Meanwhile, a total of 127 civil society groups on Friday, May 28 staged protests across Nigeria calling attention to the violence, lawlessness, and bloodletting that have taken over all parts of the country.
The groups urged the presidency to provide political and moral leadership for the security crisis and ensure governmental actions are humane in tandem with section 17 (2)(C) of the Nigerian Constitution.
At the Federal Capital Territory protests, Abuja covered by Legit.ng, organisers of the processions, Joint Action Civil Society Coalition, called on the government to act fast.
In a related development, members of the Lagos state House of Assembly on Tuesday, May 18 asked President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation over issues relating to insecurity across the country.
At the plenary monitored by Legit.ng, the House urged state governors to start restructuring in their states by implementing autonomy for state legislatures and judiciary.
The Lagos lawmakers also called on the National Assembly needed to amend the Act establishing the Nigeria Police Force for the creation of state police.
Source: Legit.ng
