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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Equip vigilantes with arms, Anglican bishop tells Nigerian govt

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • An Anglican bishop urged the Nigerian government to equip local vigilance groups with sophisticated weapons to combat rising insecurity.
  • Bishop Olufemi Familoni stated that groups like Amotekun have proven effective and need better training and equipment to fight bandits and kidnappers.
  • He also called for political will to secure the release of kidnapped students and teachers, warning against politicizing security issues.

The Anglican Bishop of the Missionary Diocese of Oyo South, Dr. Olufemi Familoni, has called on the Nigerian government to arm local vigilance groups with advanced weaponry as a response to the nation's escalating insecurity.

The Amotekun security force, from reports, has helped to curb many cases of banditry. These local vigilance groups should be equipped and trained to use sophisticated weapons to combat these criminals in our bushes and forests.

— Dr. Olufemi FamiloniThe Bishop of the Missionary Diocese of Oyo South advocating for equipping local vigilance groups.

Speaking after an ordination service on Sunday, Bishop Familoni expressed deep concern over the mounting loss of life due to banditry and kidnapping. He argued that the government should bolster support for these local security outfits, citing their demonstrated effectiveness in curbing insurgencies. "The Amotekun security force, from reports, has helped to curb many cases of banditry," he noted, advocating for their enhanced training and equipping with sophisticated arms to confront criminals in rural areas.

The killings in Nigeria are becoming really unbearable. We can’t continue as a nation like this. Our military is being overwhelmed. It’s time to encourage local groups to help and support in fighting insurgents.

— Dr. Olufemi FamiloniThe Bishop expressing his concern over the worsening security situation in Nigeria.

Familoni acknowledged recent commendations for the Nigerian military and police for stepping up their efforts. However, he stressed that more could be done to encourage these agencies. He also voiced hope for the safe return of kidnapped Oyo students and teachers, urging the government to maintain its efforts and exhibit political will to tackle the menace. The cleric cautioned against the politicization of security matters, emphasizing the preciousness of human lives.

Human lives are too precious to be reduced to politics.

— Dr. Olufemi FamiloniThe Bishop warning against the politicization of security issues.

"Human lives are too precious to be reduced to politics," he pleaded, reiterating the need to empower security forces with the necessary support to combat the prevailing insecurity.

The security forces should be empowered and given all the support they need to combat this menace.

— Dr. Olufemi FamiloniThe Bishop's plea for empowering security agencies.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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