Former governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, has disclosed that the
government of ex-president, Goodluck Jonathan approved the procurement
of over 1000 AK-47 rifles to boost security in the state.
He spoke in reaction to reports that he handed over the guns and one
million bullets to the police a day to the inauguration of a new
government in the state.
In a statement which his spokesman, Rotimi Durojaiye, issued on his
behalf, Amosun said the biggest challenge that confronted the state
when he assumed office in 2011 was insecurity.
He said this prompted him to convene a security parley that gave rise
to the Ogun State Security Trust Fund (STF) under the leadership of
Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser.
He said following recommendations from the STF, the government got
approval from the office of the NSA for the procurement of “13 units
of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), the 1000 units of AK 47 rifles,
2 million rounds of ammunition,1000 units of Bullet proof vests and
500 bullet proof helmets and other security communication gadgets”
He dismissed the allegation that he handed over the ammunition to the
police because he tried to hide it from Dapo Abiodun, his successor,
saying the incumbent governor of Ogun was among those who supplied the
security assets.
He did not give details of the arms and ammunition he handed over.
“It is important to clarify that NOT A SINGLE AK 47 RIFLE was handed
over at the event. The particular exercise of 28 May, 2019 was done
openly in the full glare of the public and the media to ensure
accountability, guarantee transparency and judicious use of the
assets,” he said.
“First, we sought and got approval to set up “OP MESA” for Ogun State.
We followed this up with the specialised QRS unit. We committed
substantial funds into procurement of hard and soft ware, and, myriad
security assets to decisively combat our security challenges.
“We got all necessary approvals from the Office of the National
Security Adviser to procure the 13 units of Armoured Personnel
Carriers (APCs), the 1000 units of AK 47 rifles, 2 million rounds of
ammunition,1000 units of Bullet proof vests and 500 bullet proof
helmets and other security communication gadgets. Ogun State not only
got approval to import these essential assets, the Federal
administration under President Goodluck Jonathan, gave all requisite
approvals to assist the state.
