The Corps Commander of the Ekiti State Security Network, Joe Komolafe, has revealed why Amotekun operatives are unable to tackle bandits.
During an appearance on Crest FM 87.7, Akure on Monday, Komolafe said the prohibition of arms bearing by Amotekun corps is a major drawback in the fight against banditry and other security challenges in the South-west.
The retired Brigadier General said although the corps had made giant strides in tackling insecurity and banditry in the region, it would do better if allowed to bear automatic weapons.
According to him, there was no provision in the law establishing the security to bear such calibre of arms as AK47 and other automatic weapons.
He said the situation poses some difficulty in dealing with the bandits who are heavily armed with automatic weapons.
“Only the police are given the authority to bear such arms and when we apprehend the suspects we hand them over to the police for prosecution.
“But even though we don’t have weapons, when they see us they run away, because we have a way we handle such situations and they know us, so when we come in they leave,” he said.
He, however, noted that the corps would continue to carry out its responsibilities of keeping the states and the region safe with or without the sophisticated weapons.
Komolafe added that local hunters had been incorporated into the corps, who are usually armed with Dane guns and other locally made weapons.
