Amotekun Demand ‘Sophisticated Weapons’ To Tackle Criminals

The Director General of Amotekun Corps in Oyo State, Col. Olayinka Olayanju ( retd.), has said his men need to be allowed to operate sophisticated weapons to effectively tackle criminals who terrorise the people with AK-47 and other weapons.

Olayanju said this in an interview with our correspondent in Ibadan on Tuesday.

He said there was a great difference between the firepower of weapons being used by criminals tormenting the people and the ones being used by Amotekun corps.

The commandant said while Amotekun corps operated with   dane guns, the hoodlums who they confronted operate superior firepower.

This, he said, accounted  for  loss of lives of some members of the security outfits when they engaged criminals in gun-duels.

He said, “Amotekun needs to be allowed to carry sophisticated weapons to confront these criminals. The criminals we tackle use superiors weapons. That is why we lose our men, when you are using a Dane gun to attack criminals with AK-47.

“Who issued licence to  the criminals carrying better weapons? But we cannot do that because we are a lawful security outfit crated by legislation. I believe we should be empowered by the law to carry sophisticated weapons to be able to face these criminals very effectively.

“For instance now, there are threats especially at this period when Christmas  is approaching. You don’t expect the police to go inside the  forest because they were not trained for that.

“But our members are vigilantes and hunters who are used to operating in the bush and coupled with the good knowledge of the terrain where they operate, that gives them a kind of advantage.

“Amotekun are the first responders now and even during jailbreak in Oyo, we were called and our men moved in, we suffered two casualties because the criminals carried  superiors weapons. Another one of our men is still in the hospital. But should we continue to be losing our lives while protecting others?

“The correctional facility that was attacked our men and Operation Burst were the first to be there.

“Let’s put sentiment and politics aside, they should grant Amotekun the licence to use sophisticated weapons. Nobody can point to anywhere Amotekun corps was used against the opposition especially in Oyo where we operate.

“We are to provide adequate security for the people and that is why we need to be upgraded to be more effective.”

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had also recently said the Federal Government should allow Amotekun to bear sophisticated weapons for a more efficient operations.

Makinde said, ” With  the recent experience in Oyo State it has become necessary to call upon the Federal Government to recognise the need to upgrade the capacity of Amotekun in providing security.

“In Oyo State Amotekun has become the  first responder and this was demonstrated during the jailbreak in Oyo town where Amotekun suffered loss of lives because there was a disparity between the firepower of the Amotekun and the criminals.

“The South West Governors have resolved to call upon the Federal Government to allow for the increase capacity so that there can be meaningful role being played by Amotekun in provision of security. 

“The era of facing criminal bearing AK47 and XM15 with sakabula ( Dane gun) and pump action is in modern time a ridiculous error.  Therefore, Amotekun must be allowed to play the role that it can provide security because as of today the presence of Amotekun in all area of Oyo State has brought about improved security that is being enjoyed.”