Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom has assured the state Community Volunteer Guards of adequate provision of logistics that would enable it perform its duties effectively.
Ortom gave the assurance on Thursday while speaking at the passing out parade of the second batch of the Benue Communities Volunteer Guard at the Ibrahim Babangida ( IBB) Square ,in Makurdi.
The governor said the essence of the Volunteer Guard was to fight crime and assured that his administration would provide more equipment and weapons permitted by law designed not only to protect the guards but to also enable them to perform their assignment.
Recall that the first batch of 500 persons was inaugurated in August after which they were deployed to their duty posts.
It was gathered that the success of some of the batch one personnel in arresting Cameroonian Ambazonian militias in Benue community resulted in the approval of the second batch by the governor.
Governor Orton noted that the security agencies are overstretched hence, the formation of the Volunteer Guard to complement their role in crime fighting.
He Urged Nigerians to rise up to the call of self defence as Benue has done by supporting the efforts to save lives and also enjoined traditional leaders to stand for the oneness of the nation.
“Benue Govt procured essential equipment as permitted by law and handed them over to the Nigerian Police for use by Benue State Community Volunteer Guards for effective crime fighting. Motor vehicles, motorcycles have also been made available, to you directly and additional vehicles and motorcycles have been procured and would be made available to you today as part of essential logistics tool for crime fighting.
” I wish to assure you that we shall continue to acquire more equipment and weapons that are permitted by law to ensure that you endanger yourselves but you will effectively perform in this assignment.
“This giant step towards self defence is indeed a clarion call to all Nigerians of Nationalistic and patriotic spirit to rise and not only support our course but also throw in their weight to maintain and sustain our lives and nationhood.
“I have on behalf of the Benue State government applied to the responsible federal government agency for approval to procure automatic weapons particularly AK- 47 assault rifle to further strengthen your logistic support base and your defense capability.lam still waiting for approval from the federal government despite the fact that I have done this application three months ago.No single reply has been given to me. I’m still waiting. I have a responsibility to the state government and the people of Benue State. If in the next one month there’s no reply,I will revert to the people of Benue State and seek their opinion on what to do. “
The governor said that state governments are trying to ensure that the community volunteer groups translate to State Police whenever approval is given in that direction.
Benue has been in the center of herdsmen/ farmers crisis that has caused several deaths and sacking of villages by suspected Fulani herdsmen .
