By Amos Aar
BENUE State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has recruited additional one thousand, one hundred (1,100) Benue State Community Volunteer Guards to reinforce the security outfit to 1,600 strong security outfit.
Governor Ortom had inaugurated an initial 500-personnel outfit during the first batch on 4th August, 2022.
Speaking Thursday during the passing out parade of the second batch of the Community Volunteer Guards at IBB Square, Makurdi, Ortom disclosed that his intention to recruit ten thousand (10,000) Volunteer Guards before the end of his administration considering the worsening security situation in the state.
He charged the security volunteers to operate strictly within the ambit of the law and not to get involved in politics in the discharge of their duties. He also reminded them that they are only meant to complement the conventional security agencies especially the Nigeria Police Force.
“I wish to reiterate that the essence of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards Law as amended is to complement the formal security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police in crime prevention and securing of lives and property in Benue State.
“I believe, all well-meaning Nigerians feel very challenged over the spate of wanton killings and abductions being meted out to Nigerians, especially on the unprotected rural farmers, travelers and defenseless students.
“I urge the command structure of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards to operate strictly within the ambit of the law, in order not to betray the powers bestowed on you by the people. Remain apolitical, conscientious, courteous, vigilant and strong to stand firm and protect the people,” Ortom charged.
As part of the state government’s support to facilitate the work of the volunteer guards, Ortom said government has procured some essential equipment as permitted by law and handed them over to the Nigeria Police for use by the volunteer guards for effective crime-fighting.
“Motor vehicles and motorcycles have been made available to you directly and additional vehicles and motorcycles have been procured and will be made available to you today as part of essential logistic tools for crime fighting,” Ortom added.
Earlier, the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Elaigwu Odogbo, and the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Professor James Ayatse represented by the Tor Kwande, Chief Ambrose Iortyer, in separate goodwill messages, gave assurances of the support of the traditional institution in the state the volunteer guards to succeed.
Also speaking, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba, said the second batch of the volunteer guards was trained by the military and paramilitary resource persons in areas such as practical weapon handling, radio communication skills, intelligence gathering and unarmed combat, adding that they were permitted by law to bear unprohibited light weapons.
Hemba, who endorsed the operations of the volunteer guards since the inauguration of the first batch announced that the personnel of the outfit, has arrested a Cameroonian terror group known as Ambazonian fighters in Kwande local government area.
He also disclosed that the Benue State Security Council has approved the establishment of a marine wing of the volunteer guards and plans were under way to acquire boats for the patrol of the waterways to check any security incursion.
On his part, the Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate, Engr Titus Uba, said the State Assembly has approved the establishment of state police to strengthen security in the country. Uba noted that the state’s House of Assembly amended the State Vigilante Law of 2000 which paved the way for the establishment of the Community Volunteer Guards.
