The Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde, has urged the Federal Government to allow members of the Amotekun Corps to bear sophisticated weapons in order to be more effective in tackling criminals who go about with AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons.
According to him, “the South-West governors had resolved to call on the Federal Government to allow Amotekun to bear arms because it was ridiculous for security agents with locally-made guns to face criminals who bear superior weapons.”
Makinde revealed this in his goodwill message at the opening of the 2021 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ibadan.
The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Oyelowo Oyewo (SAN), who represented the governor spoke on the theme for the week, ‘Unity in diversity and sustainable security in Nigeria: Any role for the law?’
He said, governors of the South-West states, based on the advice given to them by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, created the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, to respond to the security problems in the region.
He, however, said although Amotekun had contributed in no small way to the relative peace being enjoyed in the states, the personnel needed to be upgraded with sophisticated weapons so as to be much more effective.
His words, “With the recent experience in Oyo State, it has become necessary to call upon the Federal Government to recognise the need to upgrade the capacity of Amotekun in providing security.
“In Oyo State, Amotekun has become the first responder and this was demonstrated during the jailbreak in Oyo town, where Amotekun suffered loss of lives because there was a disparity between the firepower of the Amotekun and the criminals.”
“The South-West governors have resolved to call upon the Federal Government to allow for increased capacity so that there can be a meaningful role being played by Amotekun in the provision of security.”
“The era of facing criminals bearing AK-47 and X15 with sakabula (Dane gun) and pump action gun in the modern time is a ridiculous error.”
Therefore, Amotekun must be allowed to play the role that it can provide security, because as of today, the presence of Amotekun in all areas of Oyo State has brought about improved security
that is being enjoyed.”