Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has issued a one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government to give licensce to the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards to bear AK-47 rifles.
This is as the governor said he applied for a licence for the state-owned security outfit to bear AK-47 rifles three months ago but the Federal Government has not given him any response.
He however said Benue people will make a categorical decision on the matter in the next month if the Federal Government continues its refusal.
Ortom spoke in Makurdi, the state capital at the passing out parade of batch B of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards.
Ortom said the aim of the state-owned security agency is to complement efforts by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in curbing crimes and killings in the state.
He also advocated the creation of state police, saying the decentralisation of the current policing system in the country will go a long way to address the worsening security challenges of kidnapping and terrorism ubiquitous across Nigeria.
