Security: Ortom inaugurates over 1,000 community volunteer guards in Benue
By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has inaugurated a total of 1,100 community volunteer guards personnel to compliment the efforts of the conventional security agents in the fight against crime in the state.
Ortom performed the inauguration at the IBB Square in Makurdi on Thursday.
He decried the death of over 120 security agents operating in Benue State by terrorist Fulani herdsmen and charged all to cooperate with the outfit to excel in the course of duty.
The Governor stated that he has applied to the Federal Government to allow the guards to bear AK-47 rifles three months ago but was yet to get response.
He explained further that if response didn’t come, he would revert to Benue stakeholders for necessary action.
“The State Governments are working with the Federal Government of Nigeria towards moving from community policing to State Police. When this eventually becomes reality, we will give the current Community Volunteer Guards the pre-emptive rights to join the State Police. That is, the first right of refusal.
“Let me appreciate the strong will of the Security Agencies towards fighting the menace of Boko Haram, Banditry, ISWAP, the merciless killing of our farmers by marauding Fulani terrorist ‘herders’ which have become a security threat of unknown magnitude in the history of our dear Nigeria,” Ortom stated.
He urged the Police, Army, Air Force, Navy, Civil Defence Corps and other Paramilitary Agencies to remain resolute and committed to their oath to defend Nigeria.
On his part, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr Titus Uba, explained that the anti open grazing was the first step the Ortom administration took as a check to secure Benue people.
He noted that the community volunteer guards was the second step and called on Federal Government to allow the establishment of state police in the country, assuring of assembly’s support of the policy to curb threats in the state.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Colonel Paul Hemba (retired), warned the personnel against misconduct in the course of their duty, pointing out that one of the officers was dismissed for raping a woman while on duty.
The Adviser expressed happiness over the feedback on activities of guards as they were instrumental to the arrest of the Cameronian Amazonia in Jato-Aka in Kwande Local Government Area.
The Tor Tiv and Chairman of Benue state Council of Chiefs, Professor James Ayatse, commended Governor Ortom for promulgating laws that tend to protect his subjects, promising to mobilize their subjects to be security alert in various communities in the state.
