News
Insecurity: Ortom Inaugurates 1,100 BSVG, May Procure AK-47s
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has given the Federal Government one month to approve his request to procure AK-47s and other sophisticated weapons for the State Security Volunteer Guards (BSVG).
Ortom, who gave this ultimatum while speaking during the passing out parade of BSVG, batch two, at IBB square in Makurdi, yesterday.
He threatened that if the Federal Government fails to approve his request, he will consult the Benue people and proceed to do their wish.
The governor said, “I have 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 awaiting approval from the Federal Government to deal accordingly with my request and if they fail, I will come home and seek advice from my people and I will do whatever they say,” Ortom said.
He, however, noted that the state government has already procured some essential equipment as permitted by the law, including motor vehicles and motorcycles, and handed them over to the police for use by the volunteer guards for effective crime fighting.
The governor, who had inaugurated 500 in the first batch, further inspected the passing out of 1,100 members with a vow to train 10,000 guards before the expiration of his 10th in 2023.
He reiterated that it was the commitment to ensuring the security of lives and property, as well as peaceful co-existence for all the people living in the confines of Benue State that, the Benue State Government alongside Benue communities decided on the establishment of Community Volunteer Guards with the law enacted by the Benue State House of Assembly in July, 2000 and amended in October, 2021.
He lamented that the number of conventional security men in the state was grossly inadequate to contend with the heightened aggression in the state saying his intention was to provide support for them.
He urged the police, army, civil defence and others to rise up to their paths to defend the lives and property in the nation.
Also speaking at the event, the Tor Tiv, Ochivirigh James Ayatse, who lauded the initiative said Benue was not at war with any group but the need to replace exterior aggression has made the security outfit a necessity.
The Tornado Tiv, who was represented by the Tornado Kwande, Chief Ambrose Iortyer, pledged that the traditional council would continue to offer maximum support to enable them to succeed.
The Och’Idoma, Agabaidu John Elaigwu, described the coming of BSVG “as an act of God hatched by Samuel Ortom”, and expressed the belief that with the guards, the security issues in Benue will be reduced to the barest minimum.
Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly and gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Titus Uba, said the state assembly has endorsed the establishment of state police as it would help safeguard lives and property across the nation.
He urged people to provide information to the guards to enable them to fight insecurity in the state.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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