Reactions Trail Amosun’s Acquisition Of 1,000 AK47 Rifles
Two days ago, reports emerged that the former governor of Ogun state, Ibikunle Amosun, surrendered at least four million rounds of ammunition, 1,000 units of AK47 assault rifles, 1,000 units of bulletproof vests and an armored personnel carrier (APC) during a handing over process on May 28th.
The report which stated that the ammunitions were acquired before the 2019 general elections, has triggered sharp reactions from Nigerians at home and abroad.
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The former governor, now a senator, in a swift reaction to the report categorically stated that the report “represented everything but the true and factual accounts.”
Amosun clarified that “not a single AK 47 rifle was handed over at the event.”
Narrating the events that led to the acquisition of the arms, Senator Amosun said in May 2011 when he assumed office, the biggest challenge that confronted Ogun State was insecurity. “Political assassinations, unnatural and unexplained deaths were prevalent,” he said.
According to him, he took a firm step to ensure that the menace came to a total halt, ensuring that the state got an approval to import the essential assets.
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The statement signed by his media aide, Rotimi Durojaiye read, “the Federal administration under President Goodluck Jonathan, gave all requisite approvals to assist the State. The Federal Government through the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) issued the State the End User Certificate Serial Number 000001123 dated 5th of March, 2012. The Federal Ministry of Finance also granted Import Duty Exemption Certificate through a letter from the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy with Reference Number BO/R.10260/S.4/T.4/22 dated 10th April, 2012. Indeed the supplier was an accredited agent of the Nigeria Police Force nominated for the job by the Force who also monitored and supervised the transaction.
“The security materials were cleared through the Murtala Muhammed Airport and confirmed through Nigeria Customs Memo NCS/MMAC/012/S.1.”
Amosun stated that the AK47 rifles were publicly handed over to the Inspector General of Police MD Abubakar on 22nd April, 2012.
“I have served in all six geographical zones of this country. I have never seen the kind of equipment you are donating to security agents today. This is the first of such maximum donation I have ever seen since I have been serving as a police officer,” Amosun quoted IGP Abubakar as saying upon receipt of the tons of rifles.
He, however, said the last of the APCs, and all other security assets which were kept in the Ogun State Government were passed over to the Police on 28 May, 2019.
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The development has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians. While some have accused the former governor of keeping such items in the government house, others have supported the governor’s action.
See some reaction below:
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