Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has given the Federal Government a one-month deadline to grant the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards a permit to carry AK-47 rifles.
The governor claimed that after applying for an AK-47 license for the state-owned security unit three months ago, the Federal Government never responded.
If the Federal Government continues to refuse, he warned, his people will take a definite decision on the matter in the next month.
At the passing out parade for batch B of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards in Makurdi, the state capital on Thursday, Ortom made the statement.
He told the guards that their goal is to support the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in their attempts to reduce the state’s rising crime and murder rates.
The decentralisation of the nation’s current policing structure, he stated, will go a long way toward addressing the kidnapping and terrorism problems that are becoming more and more prevalent throughout Nigeria. He also called for the establishment of state police.
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 to also show in the ways to maintain and sustain our lives and nationhood.”
Noting that his responsibility remains to ensure the protection of his people, Ortom said he had
“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 have done this application three months ago, and no single reply has been given to me.
“I have a responsibility 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 called on the Federal Government to rise up to its responsibility of protecting the people to stop senseless killings of security agents and civilians across the country.