Arming Amotekun Is A Simplistic Way Of Tackling Banditry, Says El-Rufai

Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai, has stated that local vigilante groups and security outfits lack the weapons needed to combat bandits.

Arming Amotekun Is A Simplistic Way Of Tackling Banditry

The governor declared that security organisations like the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known by the codename Amotekun, “are not up to scratch” to deal with bandits.

On September 22, Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State, informed the Federal Government that he planned to buy weapons for Amotekun operatives.

El-Rufai stated this on Thursday during an appearance on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, and he called the Ondo governor’s plan for fighting bandits a simplistic approach.

He said the vigilantes are no match for the “sophisticated” non-state actors.

“Local security networks can only provide local intelligence. They do not have the firearms to face these guys [bandits],” he said.

“These guys sometimes even rout the military. So, people are speaking simplistically when they say ‘I want to get an AK-47 for my Amotekun. You don’t know what you’re dealing with.

“We know. These guys are very well-armed. They are getting arms that are sophisticated. Sometimes they outgun the military.

“Those vigilantes are not up to scratch.”