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Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, on Thursday, charged people of the state to rise up and defend themselves against external aggression devoid of political and religious sentiments.
He gave the charge while briefing journalists at the end of an expanded stakeholders meeting held at the Banquet hall of the Government House in Makurdi, the state capital.
The governor noted that this has become necessary in view of the renewed and incessant attacks on the state recently, even as the conventional security agencies have been overstretched and needed collaboration.
He further explained that the state has decided to change the narrative and seek self help, but in compliance with the rule of law and due process, it has decided to activate the law establishing Vigilante Guards which became a legal instrument since 2000.
“We have looked at the windows to explore in the law and decided to reinforce it by constituting volunteer Guards in all the 23 local government areas of the state. The local government chairmen will be the head at that level, with the Divisional Police Officers, Department of State Security, DSS, second class,third class and fourth class chiefs as members while the Social welfare officers of the council will serve as secretary.
“At the state level, the state coordinating unit will be chaired by me, the Secretary to the State Government, the Tor Tiv, Och’Idoma, security agencies, first class chiefs and the local government coordinating unit will also be incorporated. Tax collectors will be five, district level five and 20 members at the local government area.
“The composition of the volunteer Guards should include ex-service men and others who must be aged 18 and not above 50 years. They must be employed and should have lived in the community for at least six months, they must not be ex-convict and should possess licensed weapon. We must rise up and defend ourselves from external aggression devoid of political and religious sentiments”, Ortom emphasized
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