Monarch petitions FG to allow Amotekun to carry firearms.

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

Odundun II, the traditional ruler of Akure kingdom, has appealed to the Federal Government to consider the need to approve sophisticated weapons for the Western Security Network code-named Amotekun Corps.

He stated that the need for Amotekun Corps to supplement the already overburdened federal police could no longer be overstated.

The Akure monarch, speaking at the start of the annual Ulefunta lecture series, expressed concern about security in the face of uncertainty and deteriorating security conditions ranging from banditry to kidnapping, oil theft, and terrorism.

He claimed that Amotekun Corps, one of the homegrown approaches to combating insecurity, was producing the desired results.

Oba Aladetoyinbo stated that the huge success of Amotekun Corps was due to the traditional rulers being involved and carried along in the scheme of things.

“It is clear that the reality has dawned on us regarding the need for the involvement of our traditional institutions as a means of providing a homegrown approach to curb insecurity,” he said.

“Through our homegrown approach, our efforts yielded significant results, such that approximately 850 youths in Akure kingdom renounced cultism.” The state government praised this effort, and many kingdoms followed suit in their efforts to rid their areas of criminals and rascals.

“Let me speak on behalf of other traditional rulers about the importance of the government including traditional rulers in the scheme of things by granting us a constitutional role.”

“Traditional institutions can no longer continue to play a purely advisory role with no defined and specific role that allows them to contribute to the protection of lives and property.”

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who was represented by his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, insisted that the Ondo Amotekun Corps would be legally armed.

He urged traditional rulers to rein in their expansionist tendencies.

“We would like to warn monarchs to refrain from incursions into other kingdoms and to curb expansionist tendencies.” These unauthorised or illegal annexations of territories outside the jurisdiction of traditional rulers endanger the peace. Stay within your jurisdiction so that we can have peace.

“Traditional rulers are our progress partners.” We will not take their valiant efforts for granted.”