By Henry Uche, Lagos
With the incessant killing of innocent citizens in Benue in particular and the country at large, the governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has commissioned 500 community volunteer guards personnel to beef up security in the state.
The governor, while giving them a charge during the passing out parade of Batch One, maintained that over 5000 lives have been wasted by Fulani terrorists in the state since 2011 till date.
Ortom revealed that the state has provided 200 vehicles, basic facilities, resources and light arms to kick start operations while it would apply to the presidency to approve the guards to bear AK 47, AK 49 and other sophisticated arms.
“Terrorists have done unprecedented harm to our people and the federal government has failed to disarm them. 5000 lives have been wasted since 2011 till date and they are still emboldened to unleash more harm. We shall apply for arms and we dare the president to approve our request for arms,” he said.
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“We shall fight them head-on, even with our last drop of blood. We have provided minimum weapons and arms that are lawful for operations. We shall not give up in this fight against terrorists,”
He vowed never to surrender the state’s land to Fulani terrorists, decried that citizens of Benue have been terrorised by Fulani but assured them that many days are for the thief, but one day is for the owner.
“Batch Two of these security guards would be recruited soon. It’s our duty to provide security for our people. The president must approve our request for arms since they’ve failed to disarm Fulani terrorists. We’re law-abiding and shall follow every legal process in everything we do. Our lives are not for sacrifice,” he affirmed.