Mr. Olatunji Ifabiyi, lawmaker representing Odigbo Constituency 1 in the Ondo State House of Assembly, has urged the Federal Government to allow Amotekun Corps to bear sophisticated weapons to fight insecurity.

Ifabiyi, in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday, said that Amotekun would not be effective if left with the usage of outdated arms and ammunition such as dane gun and pump action.

The lawmaker noted that members of the Corps had absolute knowledge of all the terrain within the state but needed to be equipped with modern security gadgets to fight insecurity.

According to him, if the Federal Government permits Amotekun to operate with sophisticated weapons, insecurity especially across the South-West, will be reduced to the barest minimum.

Ifabiyi, who is the Chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Security Matters, said that the legislative body had not relented in its efforts to guarantee safety of lives and property in the state.

“On our efforts in supporting the fight against criminalities in the state, is not limited to Amotekun, but cutting across all security agencies.

“We have met with heads of security agencies in the state and we have shown our readiness to assist them in whatever capacity within our constitutional power.

“On Amotekun, there was no bill in strengthening the Corps that was not given speedy passage.

“We’re pleading with the Federal Government to allow them to bear sophisticated weapons in carrying out their duties.

“They cannot continue to bear old weapons while fighting enemies with lethal weapons and AK-47; we should not deceive ourselves.

“Whatever appropriation that will enhance the security architecture of the state has always been approved by the Assembly.

“It’s left for the government to grant this request so that Amotekun can complement the efforts of other security agencies,” he said.

He commended the Federal Government for the initiative of Forest Guards, saying that such move when implemented fully would flush out criminals from the forest reserves across the states. (NAN)