South-West Governors in Talks with FG on Arming Amotekun, says Governor Oyebanji

In response to the escalating insecurity in the South-West, the governors of the region are engaging in discussions with the federal government, led by President Bola Tinubu, on the possibility of allowing the Amotekun corps to carry sophisticated arms. Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, revealed this during a media chat in Ado-Ekiti, emphasizing that providing the Amotekun corps with the right arms is essential to effectively combat the increasing incidents of kidnappings, killings, and other crimes in the region.

Governor Oyebanji highlighted that the previous administration under President Muhammadu Buhari created obstacles for the Amotekun corps, hindering its efficient operations. He expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s advocacy for true federalism and expected that the current administration would support empowering the Amotekun corps legally and operationally to confront criminal elements in the region.

Addressing concerns about Amotekun’s current limitations, Governor Oyebanji stated, “Amotekun has the potential to do more if they are allowed to carry arms, and it is a conversation the South-West governors are having with the federal government, and I am sure very soon, something will be done in that regard because it is glaring that the local entity understands the environment better, and we will get to the end of that very soon; the discussion has been positive.”

Furthermore, Governor Oyebanji discussed the formation of the Farmers/Herders Peace Committee to address recurring clashes between farmers and herders in the state. He emphasized the need to tackle the root causes of criminalities in society and highlighted the collaborative efforts with traditional rulers to gather intelligence and enhance proactive measures against criminal activities.

Regarding the planned procurement of drones and trackers during the previous administration, Governor Oyebanji shared that discussions with the present National Security Adviser (NSA) have been positive. He acknowledged the challenges faced in obtaining permission for drone procurement in the past but expressed optimism about finding a resolution.