The presidency says no state has been issued authorisation
to procure automatic weapons for its security outfit.
In a statement on Tuesday, the presidency said the illegal
possession of automatic weapons and AK-47 remains illegal in the country.
“The Presidency wishes to strongly assert that there is no
state, not Katsina, not any other state in the federation, that has been
authorized to procure automatic weapons for their security outfits,” the
statement reads.
“Under this administration, the President has repeatedly
made it clear that nobody is allowed to illegally carry AK-47 or any other
automatic weapons and that they must surrender them.”
The statement is coming in the wake of the commitment
expressed by Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state, towards procuring arms
for operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun.
The senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) had said if the federal
government can allow a security outfit in Katsina to carry arms, then Amotekun
should be granted the same right.
The presidency however said neither Katsina nor Ondo is
allowed to purchase automatic weapons for security outfits.
“Under the existing
regulations, only the Office of the National Security Adviser can issue such
authorization, upon proper clearance by the President and Commander-in-Chief
and as it is at this moment, no such approvals have been issued to any state government,”
the presidency said.
“In the specific Katsina State often cited, the Governor,
Aminu Bello 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,”
emphasizing that “the Vigilantes were not trained to take over the
responsibilities of the security agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria
but to assist them.”
The presidency added that it “appreciates the active
involvement of states with security matters. As they continue to expand their
capabilities as well as their active collaboration with law enforcement
agencies of the federation, the joint efforts continue to yield good results,
thwarting attempts of terrorists to wreak havoc and destruction on
communities”.
President Muhammadu Buhari was quoted as saying he has
received reports “of acts of utmost bravery and professionalism” by operatives
of state security outfits.
“He thanks them for
their alertness that is helping to defeat nefarious plots against targets at
grassroots levels,” the statement added.
Furthermore, the presidency called on leaders at various
levels “to exercise restraint in their speech, even as we are in a political
season”.
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