In order to support the work of traditional security agencies in the state, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday formally established the first batch of a 500-Man Benue State Community Volunteer Guards, or BSCVG. Governor Ortom claimed that Nigeria's security architecture is in danger of collapsing.
The Governor, who oversaw the passing-out parade of the operatives in Makurdi, bemoaned the fact that from 2011 to the present, more than 5,000 Benue natives had been killed in repeated attacks by armed herdsmen, which had caused more than 1.5 million people to flee their homes. He emphasised that the guards would be legally armed to carry out their duties.
He pledged to apply for permits for the AK-47 and AK-49 to adequately arm the guards and give them the ability to defend Benue communities against armed herder attacks.
Giving reasons for setting up the guards the Governor noted thus: “Nigeria’s security architecture is gasping for breath as nobody is safe anymore. The worsening insecurity in the country has complicated Benue State’s security situation as other forms of criminality have started creeping in due to the Federal Government’s refusal to decisively address insecurity.
“It is owing to this failure that the Benue State Government under my watch decided to revisit the Benue State Vigilante Law of 2000, which was enacted to complement the conventional security agencies in the State to address emerging security issues.”
In addition, given the fact that the Federal Government has consistently failed to disarm the Fulani terrorists who have continued to maim and kill our people at will, the State Government is going to apply for a license to legally procure AK47, AK49 and other sophisticated weapons for the Benue State Volunteers Guards to enable them tackle these murderous terrorists effectively.
“To do this effectively, the Benue State Government had approved a two-week capacity building programme for 500 personnel of the Community Volunteer Guards to learn some basic paramilitary aspects.”
Speaking on behalf of the Benue Traditional Council, BTC, the Tor Tiv, HRM. Prof James Ayatse pledged the full support of the council to the establishment of the BSCVG, assuring that the BTC would partner the guards to ensure the security of lives and property in the rural communities.
The royal father who commended the state government for setting up the guards with the assistance of the traditional institution urged the operatives to operate within the ambits of the law.
Also, the Chairman of the Benue State ethnic leaders and President General of Mzough U Tiv, MUT, worldwide, Chief Iorbee Ihagh as well as the President General of Tiv Youths Organisation, TYO Timothy Hembaor assured that the people of the state world support the guards with necessary intelligence to help them complement the activities of conventional security in the state.