The governor spoke shortly before his Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom, issued a one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government to grant the state’s Community Volunteer Guards a license to bear AK-47s.
Ortom, who also said that the federal and state governments were currently working to achieve state policing, however, explained that Benue people would have the final say if the Federal Government failed to grant the request for an arms licence.
Akeredolu had on September 22 notified the Federal Government of his intention to procure arms for operatives of Amotekun. He had argued that it was not only legal but it was his duty as a governor to protect Ondo residents from marauders.
But featuring on Channel’s Sunrise Daily, El-Rufai, said: ”People are speaking simplistically when they say ‘I want to get an AK-47 for my Amotekun. You don’t know what you’re dealing with.
“Local security networks can only provide local intelligence. They do not have the firearms to face these guys [bandits].
”These guys sometimes even rout the military. They are very well-armed. They are getting arms that are sophisticated. Sometimes, they outgun the military. Those vigilantes are not up to scratch.”
The governor, who is known to have openly canvassed carpet bombing of terrorists and bandits’ camps as a way to contain non-state actors, said there have been positive changes in the security of his state in the past six weeks.
He said that the latest tactics, including “bombing’’ of bandits’ hideouts, deployed by the military were reducing the level of attacks in the state.
El-Rufai said: “I’m happy to say in the last six weeks, there has been a change because the military has now deployed special forces here. And they have taken the bandits out. The air force is bombing them. All the things that we asked for two to three years ago are now happening.
“If that had been done three years ago, we would have been in a completely different environment. Because three years ago, they were much fewer in numbers, we knew their camps, we knew everything about them.”
Read Also: Akeredolu: no going back on plan to arm Amotekun corps
In Makurdi, the Benue State capital, Ortom said he applied for licence for the state’s security outfit to bear arms three months ago.
He revealed this during the passing out of batch B of the Volunteer Guards. He told the guards that their primary role was to complement efforts by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in curbing the surging crimes and killings in the state.
The governor said, “Towards this aim, the Benue State Government has already procured some essential equipment as permitted by law and handed them over to the Nigerian Police for use by Benue State Community Volunteer Guards for effective crime-fighting. Motor vehicles and motorcycles have also been made available.
“I wish to assure you that we will continue to acquire more equipment and weapons that are permitted by law to ensure that you don’t endanger yourself but that you effectively perform in this assignment.
“This giant call towards self-defence is indeed a clarion call to all Nigerians of nationalistic and patriotic spirit to rise and not only support our cause but to also show in the ways to maintain and sustain our lives and nationhood.”
Ortom argued that decentralisation of the current policing system in the country would address the security challenges in the country.
He charged the Federal Government to rise up to its responsibility of protecting the people.
The governor, however, said: “state governments are currently working with the Federal Government of Nigeria towards moving from community policing to State Police,
“When this eventually becomes a reality we will give the current Community Volunteer Guards the pre-emptive rights to join the State Police. That is, the first right of first refusal.”
Ortom disclosed that between 2017 and now, over 120 personnel of the Nigerian Army, the police, and the Department of State Services, amongst others have been killed by terrorists in his state.
He charged the guards to be vigilant and protect their communities against invasion from terrorists who are bent on taking over their lands.
“All of us, as Nigerians, have a responsibility to check this evil, the intrusion of those who are set to decimate, take over, and control our resources and destiny as a nation with every deserving force and will,” Ortom insisted.
The governor advised the command structure of the Volunteer Guards “to operate strictly within the ambit of the law, in order not to betray the powers bestowed on you by the people.”
Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society groups under the aegis of The Osun Master (TOM), has urged the Federal Government to okay the use of arms by the Amotekun Corps.
“We join our voice to the calls by several stakeholders in Yorubaland for the Federal Government’s approval of arms for the Amotekun Corps,” said Executive-Director of the coalition. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli in Osogbo, Osun State.
(Nation)
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