Governor Rotimi Akeredolu said the reasons adduced by Garba Shehu for the continued refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to approve the use of sophisticated weapons for state security outfits can no longer be plausible.
The governor also said Shehu acted suspiciously by jumping to the defense of the Katsina State Government after he questioned the Federal Government on why the equivalent of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun Corps) in Katsina was allowed to bear arms.
Shehu, the President’s media aide, had on Tuesday dismissed Akeredolu’s claim that Katsina State Government had been granted a license to procure and operate automatic weapons.
He added that President Muhammadu Buhari has repeatedly made it clear that nobody is allowed to illegally carry AK-47s or any other automatic weapons and that they must surrender them.
He said ”In the specific Katsina State often cited, Gov. Aminu 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.
”The Vigilantes were not trained to take over the responsibilities of the security agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria but to assist them.”
In response to Shehu, Akeredolu said the attempt to justify the use of AK47 by the Vigilantes of Katsina State for training stands logic on its head.
Please read the full statement from Governor Akeredolu’s office below:
The reasons adduced by Garba Shehu in his Press 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 assertion of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity on the use of automatic weapons by State Security outfits betrays the current realities across the country. His attempt to justify the use of AK47 by the Vigilantes of Katsina State for training stands logic on its head.
The report by the TVC News that went viral showed the Kastina State Vigilante training with AK47. This is the same weapon whose approval has vehemently been refused for the use of Amotekun Corps and other State Security Outfits.
The questions Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, asks are:
i. Where did the guns come from?
ii. Who approved their use?
iii. Were the guns returned to the armoury after use?
iv. The AK47, as seen from the TVC news report, was about usage. If not, what purpose does training with the guns serve?
It is rather suspicious that Garba Shehu elected himself as the spokesperson for the Kastina State government. Whereas, the Katsina State has not come out openly to deny the statement of Governor Akeredolu on the use of AK47 by Vigilantes of Katsina State during training.
Governor Akeredolu has reiterated that 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 time to face down these enemies of the people.
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.
Governor Akeredolu is determined to spare no efforts in protecting the people. He has vowed to explore every available legal and constitutional means to secure the state and its people.
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 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 result.
Governor Akeredolu is irrevocably committed to the security of the people, particularly his state. He will continue to speak up in defense of the people. He is very much committed to the realization of constitutional amendment to reflect the current realities.
Signed:
Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
September 28, 2022.
