May 1, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke
The Yoruba Nation Global Directorate has issued a statement calling for the upgrade of the firepower granted to the Amotekun Corps, the security outfit established by South-Western states.
According to the directorate, the current arms available to Amotekun personnel are inadequate to counter the rising security threats across Yorubaland.
The directorate cited the proliferation of military-grade assault rifles among Fulani herders and militias, who continue to move across Yoruba territories with impunity.
“Fulani herders and militias, now routinely armed with military-grade assault rifles such as AK-47s and AK-45s, continue to move across Yoruba territories with impunity,” the statement read.
In contrast, the Amotekun Corps is limited to locally fabricated and outdated weapons, leaving them ill-equipped to counter the rising threat.
“The Amotekun Corps is limited to locally fabricated and outdated weapons, such as advanced Dane guns, leaving them ill-equipped to counter the rising threat,” the directorate noted.
The directorate expressed disappointment with the Nigerian military and police, which have failed to stem the tide of violence, kidnappings, and land invasions affecting Yoruba communities.
“The Nigerian military and police have failed to stem the tide of violence, kidnappings, and land invasions affecting Yoruba communities,” the statement added.
The directorate also highlighted the asymmetric disarmament policy implemented by the Nigerian Government in 2019, which required law-abiding citizens to surrender their licensed firearms and firearm permits.
“It remains unclear where and how Fulani herders and armed bandits obtained their assault weapons, and why no such disarmament was enforced on them,” the directorate questioned.
The Yoruba Nation Global Directorate has made several demands, including granting Amotekun Corps the legal right to bear modern firearms and receive tactical upgrades.
“We demand that Amotekun Corps be granted the legal right to bear modern firearms and receive tactical upgrades necessary to meet today’s realities,” the directorate stated.
The directorate also called on the international community to take note of the asymmetric disarmament policy and its implications for Yoruba citizens.
