The Federal Government cleared the air on the recent controversy surrounding the purchase of arms by states across the country.
Daily Report recalls that governors of Ondo and Benue states have reiterated their desire to purchase fire arms for their state-owned security outfits.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu last week reiterated his position, while condemning the federal government for allowing his counterparts in Katsina obtain arms.
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However, in a statement on Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the government announced that no individual is allowed to illegally carry AK-47 or any other automatic weapons.
According to the statement, such weapons must be surrendered to the government with immediate effect.
The presidency further said that only the Office of the National Security Adviser could can give such authorization after a proper clearance by the President and Commander-in-Chief.
“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.’
“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.
“The President in particular has expressed happiness that in the last couple of years, security outfits mandated by state governments have been associated with several important initiatives, and reports have reached him of acts of utmost bravery and professionalism.
“He thanks them for their alertness that is helping to defeat nefarious plots against targets at grassroots levels.
“He, however, cautions against the politicization of security.
“Government at the centre with a national mandate cannot afford to alienate Ondo State or any other state for that matter on the important issue of security and urges leaders at various levels to exercise restraint in their speech, even as we are in a political season.”
