Afenifere Demands Lethal Weapons for Amotekun Amid Rising Insecurity
The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has called for the licensing of Amotekun personnel in the South-West to carry lethal weapons in response to growing security threats in the region.
Security Concerns and State Policing
Following its meeting in Akure, the home of its national leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, Afenifere expressed concerns over the influx of bandits and the rising wave of insecurity in Yoruba-speaking states.
According to the Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the move is necessary to enhance Amotekun’s effectiveness in crime-fighting and could serve as a preparatory step toward establishing state police.
The communique reads:
“Afenifere advocated for the licensing of states’ security networks code-named Amotekun in Yoruba-speaking states to carry lethal weapons. This can be done preparatory to the setting up of State Police.”
The group also urged for stronger collaboration between Amotekun and other security agencies, stressing the need for:
- Command and Control posts across all local government areas.
- Real-time information sharing between security forces to improve response times and combat criminal activities.
Call for Economic Support to Farmers
Beyond security, Afenifere addressed the economic hardship caused by the rising cost of food items. The group urged:
- State and local governments to support farmers with resources, including subsidized inputs.
- Increased investment in agriculture to boost food production and strengthen local economies.
Implications of Arming Amotekun
The call for lethal weapons for Amotekun is likely to spark debates over:
- The legal framework governing regional security outfits.
- The risks and benefits of heavily arming state-backed forces.
- The urgency of decentralizing policing to allow states more control over security matters.
With insecurity worsening in many parts of Nigeria, the demand for state police and stronger regional defense mechanisms is growing louder. The Federal Government’s response to Afenifere’s call will be closely watched in the coming days.