Ortom writes Buhari, asks for firearms permits for volunteer guards

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom has written President Muhammadu Buhari to grant firearm licensing for the newly established Benue State Community Volunteer Guards inaugurated last week to provide surveillance and intelligence gathering in the wake of persistent herdsmen attacks.

Ortom, who was addressing a delegation from the Northern Christian Women Coalition at the Government House in Makurdi on Monday, said the move became necessary following the legitimate
process of establishing the Guards to help restore peace in the
troubled parts of the state.

He expressed optimism that the President would approve his request to also empower his people against their transducers or at best, leave room for a fair level of response on the defences of his people.

During the launch last week, the guards, the Governor said, are
designed to address community security and safety.

According to him, the volunteer guards were not established for
political purposes ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The Governor urged men of the volunteer guards to avoid the temptation
of abusing the powers conferred on them by the state’s law.
(ChannelsTV)