Buhari did not approve AK-47 for Katsina vigilante – Presidency replies Akeredolu

Amid claims by the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, over Federal Government approving automatic weapons for the Katsina Government’s vigilante outfit, the Presidency has denied granting approval to any State of the Federation for acquisition of arms for its security outfit.

It would be recalled that Governor Akeredolu had berated the federal Government for reportedly granting approval to the Katsina Government for its state security outfit established to combat the menace of bandits ravaging the state, while restricting the South West regional security outfit, Amotekun, to the pump action rifle to confront bandits baring sophisticated weapons.

Akeredolu further vowed to procure sophisticated weapons for the Amotekun outfit.

However, Presidential Spokesperson, Garba Shehu in a statement, noted that President Muhammadu Buhari has said numerous times that no citizen or State will be allowed to procure AK 47 or any other weapon illegally.

“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.

“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 if they have such weapons, they must surrender them.

“Where they fail to do so, the law enforcement agencies have been given clear directives to deal with any such outlaws.

“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.

“As it is at this moment, no such approvals have been issued to any state government.”

He specifically explained the scenario of Katsina State, where many believe it has acquired weapons.

“In 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 appreciates the active involvement of states in security matters.

“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, however, cautioned against the politicization of security”.