By Gboyega Adeoye
Even as it has not commenced operations. The Yoruba security outfit code named “Amotekun” has begun to have issues with the Nigeria Police authorities who might be unsettled with the formation of the group by the South West governors.
The police has strongly warned the South-West Stakeholders Security Group working with the Western Nigeria Security Outfit codenamed Operation Amotekun (leopard), against any breach of security.
The police commands in Ekiti, Ogun and Ondo in separate interviews, said they would not tolerate illegal possession of firearms by the members of the group.
They said anybody in possession of illegal weapons would be arrested.
Meanwhile, the operations of the Amotekun group would not yield its desired goals should it operate without firearms.
Lagos, Osun and Ekiti state governments had, on Friday, said they would recruit about 1,320 operatives from the OPC and other groups for the Operation Amotekun, which was launched by the South-West states on Thursday.
The states, had before the launch, said the OPC and other members of the SSSG, would be used for intelligence gathering and no fewer than 120 patrol vehicles were on Thursday made available to the security outfit.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the Ekiti State Police Command, Sunday Abutu, said any OPC member that had prohibited firearms would be arrested.
Abutu said it was the responsibility of the police to arrest and prosecute any individual or group bearing arms illegally.
The police spokesman, who said the community security outfits like the vigilantes and hunters could not carry prohibited firearms, said, “The approved local vigilante groups can only carry Dane guns.
“Even people that are going to use those ones (Dane and local guns) have to be approved by the police. The police know those ones that are prohibited and the ones that such groups can use.
“Once we see anybody or group with prohibited firearms, we will arrest them because they are not allowed to carry such.”
