Ortom mulls security outfit for Benue

Zulum summons retired citizens over terrorism in Borno

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has stressed the need for the state to establish a security outfit to complement the conventional security agencies.

Ortom told newsmen at the Government House, Makurdi, that as every region in the country was working towards establishing a new security outfit, the North Central governors may meet very soon to decide.

His words, “For me, personally, we have not met at the regional level; but I think there will be need for Benue to establish a security outfit to complement what the conventional security agencies are doing.

“At the moment, the herdsmen coming into Benue are doing so not for the purpose of grazing, but killing and destroying property. The marauders, who usually come without cattle, attack communities in guerrilla style of warfare, kill, burn houses and destroy other property.”

The state government had provided vehicles and mobilised security operatives in the state. It has also mobilised the agro rangers to tackle killer herders.

“This is a very trying time for the state because we are having communal crisis and external aggression at the same time,” he added.

Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has invited retired army generals, police and paramilitary officers for a strategic meeting to end Boko Haram activities in the state.

The invitees are drawn from the army, air force and Directorate of State Services (DSS).

Zulum announced the security meeting on Sunday when he hosted series of “consultative meetings” with Borno citizens and stakeholders from Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at Kanem Suites Banquet Hall, Abuja.

He said members of Borno Security Meeting (BSEM) would specifically comprise retired citizens that held operational positions on security.

“The meeting will explore ways Borno citizens with ranks of chief executive, permanent secretary, directors and deputy directors at Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) could overcome challenges of security to lives and property,” he said.

According to him, the retired generals and civil servants could proffer solution to the decade-long insecurity that ravaged the state. Invitation of retired senior security personnel, he disclosed, was in response to comments of a retired general from Borno at the Abuja meeting.

The senior citizen had offered to contribute with strategies on security that could help government in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram.