The governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has asserted an amended Community Volunteer Guards law of the state which empowers local guards to legally carry weapons.
The law was first passed in 2000 by the State House of Assembly and it was then assented to by the former governor, George Akume.
Attesting to the bill, Ortom explained that over 20 years after, it has become pertinent to amend the law to aid the guards complementing the “grossly inadequate” conventional security agents in the fight against insecurity.
He also explained that traditional rulers would oversee the recruitment of the guards as it is community-based.
Also, he said five persons would be recruited from each of the kindreds in the state, 10 at the ward level, while the local government would have representatives from council wards to ensure proper management and supervision of the guards.
According to him, he mentioned that “Those to be recruited must be within the age bracket of 18 to 50 years and should have a means of livelihood,” Ortom said.
“I warn that the guards do their work, devoid of politics.”
Ortom has on many occasions, asked the federal government to allow “responsible” Nigerians to carry “sophisticated weapons” like AK-47 in self-defense.
Ortom had also in another instance, asked the people of Benue to obtain licenses to carry Dane guns and defend themselves from invading gunmen.
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