By Amos Aar
GOVERNOR Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Thursday launched Benue State Community Volunteer Guard (BSCVG) in Makurdi, the state capital.
The governor said the Volunteer Guards will complement conventional security formations in line with the new law.
According to him, the operations of the new outfit will be in strict conformity with the law establishing BSCVG.
Ortom cautioned that any of the personnel found operating outside the law will not only be shown the way out but will be prosecuted as well.
Governor Ortom who expressed worry that over 1.5 million people were displaced and were either squatting with relatives or living in camps, called on the Benue public to cooperate with the Volunteer Guards by providing necessary information towards curbing insecurity in the state.
In his fatherly remarks, the Tor Tiv and Chairman, Benue State Council of Chiefs, His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Iorzua Ayatse, stated that the Volunteer Guards were selected in consultation with traditional rulers, assuring that as chairman of the Tiv Traditional Council, he will sustain support for the initiative to be a success.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of thirty (30) Innoson Hilux vehicles and 30 motorcycles to the outfit for logistics.
National Record recalls that the Benue State Government had on 24th May, 2021, disbanded Benue Vigilante Group and proposed Volunteer Guards to be recruited at kindred level.
Fulani attacks claim over 5,000 lives in Benue
Also in his address at the ceremony Governor Ortom revealed that the unprovoked attacks by Fulani terrorists on unarmed people of the state since 2011 have so far claimed more than 5,000 lives.
A press statement by Nathaniel Ikyur, Governor Ortom’s Chief Press Secretary, quoted the governor to have stated that 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.
According to the governor it was the failure of the federal government to curb the insecurity in the state that has forced his government to resolve on establishing the Volunteer Guards to address emerging security challenges.
“By the provisions of the new law, the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards can therefore carry legally approved weapons which we have duly provided,” Ortom was quoted to have said.
Ortom maintained that although the campaign of terror has spread across Nigeria, Benue State has been specifically targeted because of his “administration’s insistence on the rule of law rather than the rule of terror and for always standing with my people in their refusal to surrender their land, identity and Judeo-Christian faith and values to the Islamization agenda.”
He added that the guards “represent our modest attempt to support our communities in their daily struggle to escape the worst of the atrocities of the terrorist Fulani herdsmen.
“As we all witness the passing-out parade of these able-bodied young men, we believe that security will improve in Benue State,” Governor Ortom stated.
Governor Ortom also expressed optimism that “The issue of banditry, kidnapping, robbery and most of all, the issue of terrorists Fulani herdsmen attack would be reduced to the barest minimum.”
Earlier, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba (Rtd) had said the first batch of 500 personnel of the Community Volunteer Guards have been trained as riot squad, unarmed combat squad and intelligence gathering to work with conventional security agencies at the grassroots to curb insecurity, urging the personnel to be professional in the discharge of their duties.
President-General of Mzough u Tiv, CP Iorbee Ihagh, (Rtd) and President-General, Tiv Youth Organization, Timothy Hembaor also gave goodwill messages on behalf of socio-cultural organizations in the State.
