The statement said the approval of the AK-47 rifles should be extended to other states facing similar security challenges.
President Muhammadu Buhari has been tackled by the Coalition of Southern and Middle Belt Youth Leaders Assembly, COSMBYLA for approving AK-47 rifles for the Katsina State Security, but refused to approve same for Amotekun.
Recall that the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, had on Thursday revealed that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government approved AK-47 rifles for Katsina State security.
The governor stated this while lamenting the government’s denial of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun Corps) to carry assault rifles despite terror attacks.
Reacting, COSMBYLA in a statement issued by its President General, Goodluck Ibem, asked Buhari to approve use of AK-47 rifles to other states to help them tackle insecurity.
The statement reads partly, “Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, BSCVG, Amotekun, and others are by the approval for Katsina state security outfit to carry AK47, allowed to do same to protect their citizens from attacks.
“All states in the country have equal rights and privileges. No state in Nigeria has rights, power, or privileges more than the other. We are in a federation where all states are equal. We do not have two countries in Nigeria. So what is approved for one state should also be approved for other states.
“We the Youth Leaders of Southern and Middle Belt Youths stand solidly behind our governors in their constitutional duties and obligations to protect their people as Chief Security Officers of their States”.