No state authorised to buy automatic weapons, Presidency replies Akeredolu

The Presidency says no state government has been authorised to buy automatic weapons for their security outfits.

It was responding to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s accusation of double standard levelled against President Muhammadu Bihari for reportedly allowing Katsina State Government to arm it’s security outfit while it turned down the request to equip the Amotekun security group with automatic weapons.

A statement issued on Tuesday by spokesman for the President, Garba Shehu, said,  “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 that 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 and as it is at this moment, no such approvals have been issued to any state government.”

The Presidency explained that Katsina State  case, saying, “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.”

It cautioned against politicising security issue, just it declared the security of Ondo State would not be neglected in any way.

It stated, “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.”