Allegations of arms stockpile, surrendering, laughable – Amosun

Former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has described as
laughable, allegations he stockpiled firearms before the general
elections and hurriedly handed them over to the police a day to
handover.

Amosun’s reaction which was contained in a rejoinder released by
his media aide Rotimi Durojaiye corroborated The Nation’s earlier
report on the issue.

An exclusive report by online news site Premium Times had on
Tuesday stated that Amosun surrendered 1,000 AK47 rifles, four
million bullets.

1,000 bulletproof vests and one armoured personnel carrier (APC)
he allegedly stockpiled at the Oke Mosan Government House for an
extended period of time, an allegation Police Commissioner Bashir
Makama faulted during a telephone interview with The Nation.

According to the statement released by Durojaiye on Wednesday
morning, no AK47 rifle was handed over to the police on May 28, the
day the former Governor was disarmed as part of handing over
formalities.

“It is rather interesting and ironic that a routine, bona fide
and patriotic disposition of Senator Ibikunle Amosun has been so
savagely twisted in a premeditated effort to stand logic on its
head. It is important to clarify that NOT A SINGLE AK47 RIFLE was
handed over at the event.

“Senator Ibikunle Amosun would have loved to ignore this report
for the simple reason that it is a matter for the remit of the
Police and Security agencies. But, that course of action will
appear disrespectful to well-meaning stakeholders and inquirers on
the matter. Secondly, the good people of Ogun State and Nigerians
at large deserve to know the exact circumstances of the
handing-over of these security items.

“It is important to stress that this was not the first time that
Senator Amosun, whilst in office as Governor and former Chief
Security of Ogun State would be handing over security assets to the
police. 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.

In May 2011 when Senator Amosun assumed office, the biggest
challenge that confronted Ogun State was insecurity. Political
assassinations, unnatural and unexplained deaths were prevalent. In
Ogun East for instance, which comprised of nine of the 20 LGAs at
the time, the entire business and financial institutions
architecture had become comatose as no bank or such institutions
could open for business in the entire senatorial district.

“Cultism, kidnapping for ransom, violent crime and tertiary
institutions related criminality stank to high heavens. Ogun West
was totally ravaged by cross border banditry, unbridled smuggling
and economic sabotage. Ogun Central, though relatively calmer, had
its fair share of the very low security index that our state had
sunk at the time.

“No resident, in good conscience, could sleep at night with two
eyes closed. In the World Bank Ease of Doing Business, 2010, Ogun
State was ranked as Number 35 out of 36 as industries and
corporations fled the State in droves…”

Explaining how the state government acquired the weapons and had
an armoury, he said all necessary approvals were gotten, due
process followed, adding that a security parley was first convened
which birthed the Ogun State Security Trust Fund (STF) under the
leadership of a former Nigerian National Security Adviser.

“The Amosun administration sought help from then President
Goodluck Jonathan led Federal Government. First, we sought and got
approval to set up “OP MESA” for Ogun State. We followed this up
with the specialized QRS unit. We committed substantial funds into
procurement of hard and software, and, myriad security assets to
decisively combat our security challenges.

“We got all necessary approvals from the Office of the National
Security Adviser (NSA) to procure the 13 units of Armoured
Personnel Carriers (APCs), the 1000 units of AK47 rifles, two
million rounds of ammunition,1000 units of bulletproof 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. The
Federal Government through the Office of NSA issued the State the
End User Certificate Serial Number 000001123 dated March 5,
2012.

“The Federal Ministry of Finance also granted Import Duty
Exemption Certificate through a letter from the Honourable Minister
of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy with Reference
Number BO/R.10260/S.4/T.4/22 dated April 10, 2012. Indeed the
supplier was an accredited agent of the Nigeria Police Force
nominated for the job by the Force who also monitored and
supervised the transaction.

“The security materials were cleared through the Murtala
Muhammed Airport and confirmed through Nigeria Customs Memo
NCS/MMAC/012/S.1. The materials were publicly handed over to the
Inspector General of Police MD Abubakar on April 22, 2012…”

Noting the strict procedures for purchase, handling, storage and
documentation of security merchandise, Amosun said they were
satisfied that extant approvals, regulations and protocols were
observed and complied with in this instance.

“Without going into the details and thereby breaching
conventions, suffice to say categorically that the AK47 rifles were
supplied directly to the Nigeria Police, Ogun State Command. The
rest of the merchandise were securely kept in the approved
designated armoury within the Government House precincts under
police surveillance as it obtains in most Government Lodges, to
guarantee exclusive use of the materials in Ogun state.

“The suggestion that the security assets were quickly handed
over to the police in order that the new administration will not
know about it is laughable because the current Governor of Ogun
State, Prince Dapo Abiodun was the main supplier of some of the
assets in question, notably, the Armoured Personnel Carriers
(APCs).

“We say with pride that our substantial investment and
commitment to security paid off. Ogun State won several
international and local security awards. Companies returned to our
shores in even higher numbers. Thankfully, under Senator Amosun’s
watch, Ogun State did not record any unexplained death or political
assassination throughout…

“As a governor who understood and took the responsibilities of
his office seriously, Senator Amosun was mindful to account for and
properly hand over the remainder of the security items to the
police and the new administration. On May 28, 2019, the last of the
APCs, and all other security assets under the custody of Ogun State
Government were passed over to the police in full glare of the
media and general public. We believed that was the surest way to
prevent these assets getting into the wrong hands,” he said.

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