The governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, yesterday gave the federal government a month to approve the state's request to buy AK-47 firearms for members of its vigilante organisation, or the state would take appropriate action.
When farmers were being killed by herdsmen in the state on a regular basis, the state administration requested the federal government permission to purchase these weapons. However, the president claimed that no state of the union had the authority to do so.
Ortom stated yesterday in Makurdi that the purpose of the state-owned security agency was to support the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in their efforts to reduce rising crime and killings in the state. He was speaking at the passing out parade of batch B of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards.
He also made a case for the creation of state police, saying the decentralisation of the current policing system in the country would go a long way to address the worsening security challenges of kidnapping and terrorism across Nigeria.
He explained that the government embarked on increasing the numerical strength of the guards from the current 500 personnel who was inaugurated in August, with an additional 1,100 in order to enhance the effective operation and proper coverage of the state.
The governor said: “Towards this aim, the Benue State government has already procured some 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 and motorcycles have also been made available.
“I wish to assure you that we will continue to acquire more equipment and weapons that are permitted by law to ensure that you don’t endanger yourself but that you effectively perform in this assignment.
“This giant call towards self-defence is, indeed, a clarion call to all Nigerians of nationalistic and patriotic spirit to rise and not only support our cause but also show in the ways to maintain and sustain our lives and nationhood.”
Ortom said he had a responsibility to protect his people and had, therefore, approached the Federal Government to get approval to procure assault rifles to stamp out daring bandits and terrorists in his state.
“I’ve on behalf of the Benue State government applied to the responsible Federal Government agency for approval to procure automatic weapons, particularly AK-47 assault rifles, to further strengthen your logistic support base and your defence capability.
“I am still waiting for approval from the Federal Government, despite the fact that I did this application three months ago, and no single reply has been given to me.
“I am responsible to the state government and the people of Benue State. If in the next month, there is no reply, I will revert to the people of Benue State, and seek your opinion. Whatever you tell me is what I am going to do,” he noted.
The governor charged the Federal Government to rise to its responsibility of protecting the people, so the senseless killings of security agents and civilians could stop all over the country.
According to him, from 2017 till date, over 120 personnel of the Nigerian Army, the police, and the Department of State Services, DSS, among others, have been killed by terrorists in Benue.
The governor inaugurated the first batch of the security outfit on August 4.