- The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, on Friday said no state governor has the authority to acquire high caliber weapons for use by quasi security outfits.
He said this while reacting to questions in company of the Ministers of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola and Police Affairs, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi after the National Security Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
His reaction came after Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State gave the administration one month deadline to approve his request to obtain an AK-47 licence or he would seek counsel from his people on the best course of action.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State had earlier queried the granting of permission to the Kasina security outfit, whereas other state security outfits were denied to bear arms.
While responding, the CDS urged citizens to be weary and always read between the lines when certain requests were sought by governors.
He said the deployment of high calibre weapons such as the AK-47 rifles among others lies strictly within the purview of the Federal government security agencies alone.
He said Nigerians journalists must be able to read between the lines when certain comments are made, to elicit certain reactions, as opposed to the reality with respect to what the security setting is.
General Irabor said AK-47 and “firearms fall into two major categories. You have the automatic weapons and the ones that we may classify as non-automatic weapons which some of you may even have if you have the appropriate licences. Talking about the Pump Action which is the very common ones, and sometimes even the dane guns some of the hunters use.
“What is involved in the class that mentioned has to do with automatic weapons. There’s no state that has been given licence for that.”
He added that the sole responsibility of licencing lies with the federal government agencies and also to be used by government security agencies and not quasi security forces.
“So, you do not ask for what you do not have power to acquire,” General Irabor stated.
In his contribution, Aregbesola dismissed the notion that governors also have powers to procure fire arms for their local security outfits.
“No state government has been empowered to arm any of his security operatives or agency. None. So, the false claim that the state government is empowered by the federal government to have his own vigilante or sub national security outfit is false, absolute false!”
He explained the conditions precedent before licence to bear arms could be obtained for local use, but which, according to him, the governors had failed to meet.
“There is a procedure for whoever wants to legally bring in any weapon to follow. And whoever is authorised by the law of the land, to bring in legitimate ammunition, including the army, must go through that process.
“So, whoever wants to import ammunition, armarment or weapons is advised to go through the legitimate process of such activity or act.”
The Minister of Police Affairs, while speaking on the issue of application for the purchase of firearms, said, “government had made it categorically clear that it has not issued licence to any state government or to the organisation to purchase firearms for subnational security measures.
“So, for anybody to say he has given timeline for the federal government to issue you licence, I think he should know that there are due process that one should follow to secure such licences.
Dingyadi advised “those concerned to please follow the due process to ensure that they get the appropriate response of the federal government on the matter”.
Breaking News: Nigerians can now earn in US Dollars from home, let’s show you how our client earned $13,000 (₦9,600,000.00) on a premium domain name within 2 weeks of acquisition. Click here to find out how to start.https://dailytrust.com/nigerians-can-now-get-paid-monthly-in-us-dollars
If You Have Joint Pain, Read This Before It Gets Deleted!
Millionaire Man Reveals $127/Hour Trick Anyone Can Do
Nigerian Millionaire Exposes: ₦1,593,247 Per Week From ₦99,000 Investment
Nigerian Millionaire Mom Exposes How to Become Rich Without Leaving Home
If You Have Joint Pain, Read This Before It Gets Deleted!
If You Have Joint Pain, Read This Before It Gets Deleted!
Millionaire Man Reveals $127/Hour Trick Anyone Can Do
Millionaire Man Reveals $127/Hour Trick Anyone Can Do
Nigerian Millionaire Reveals: How to Get Rich with Bitcoin, Without Buying Bitcoin
More Stories
Around The Web
If You Have Joint Pain, Read This Before It Gets Deleted!
Arthrazex
This Product is a Miracle Against Wrinkles. Look 20 when You’re 50
Inno Gialuron
Lagos Millionaire Mom Exposes How to Become Rich Without Leaving Home
Daily Finance
Lagos Millionaire Reveals: How to Make Money Working from Home
Daily Finance
Lagos Husband in Tears: Wife Exposes His 3-year Secret
Daily News
The 50 Most Romantic Hotels in the World 2022
WorldTour
Dear Reader,
Every day, we work hard to provide readers such as you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we’re asking that you support us to do more. Your support means that Daily Trust can keep offering journalism to everyone in the world. Sign up for as little as N1,000 to become a member. Learn more about our membership hereBank transfers can be made to:
Zenith Bank
1017257739
Media Trust Ltd
Please send details of your bank transfer to the email or Whatsapp number below so that we can contact you.
If you have any questions, please let us know.Inquiries:
Email: [email protected]
Whatsapp: +234 806 990 3410
Be the first to comment