Ondo State’s governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, promised that if terrorists ever struck the state again, he would buy guns for the residents so they could protect themselves.
The announcement was made by the governor on Friday when presenting 50 security-equipped vehicles to the state’s security organizations, including the South-West Security Network, also known as the Amotekun Corps.
When asked about the murder of more than 40 worshipers at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo on Sunday, June 5, Akeredolu regretted that the police were powerless to intervene because they had a working vehicle. He added that Amotekun later pursued the terrorists, but it was too late.
Governor Akeredolu was reported as saying, “Protecting the life and property of our people is our priority here,” in a Daily Independent story. Here, we have a personal stake.
“Any other incident here, we will ask our people to get guns to protect themselves. We will even get guns for our people to protect themselves. So, you want me to stay inside my house and someone will come and kill me there.
“If we are pushed to the wall, we will also encourage our people to get guns. We are talking to our traditional rulers to get us the traditional powers. I am begging you, nobody, state, the country can continue to witness this kind of insecurity.
“People will be on motorbikes and attempt to attack planes at Airport. How did they come in? Are there no people manning the place? What a country where you can’t get a plane, or train to travel and you dare not travel by road.
“Bandits save their people from the government and the government can’t save its people from bandits.
“Up till today, not all Chibok girls, now women, have come back. So, what are we doing as a nation? I am worried about security issues in the country, let’s discuss it. Is there no government that they have this leeway to operate just like that?
“We will smoke criminals out of their hidings. Where we arrest them, we will bring them to justice and where they resist arrest, we will send them to where they will get justice.
“Whether they like or not, we will get State Police, it’s just a matter of time.
“Governor Matawalle was pushed to the wall before he asked his people to arm themselves to protect themselves.”
While emphasizing that “Amotekun is not competing but cooperating with other agencies,” the governor praised the state’s security agencies for their continued joint efforts in spite of the recent spike in criminal activity.
Remember that shortly after the shooting at the Owo church, Governor Akeredolu unveiled new security measures to bolster security in the state.
