The Governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom has asked the Federal Government to grant licences to responsible citizens to carry sophisticated weapons such as Kalashnicov also called AK47, to deter criminals from attacking innocent Nigerians.
Governor Ortom’s suggestions are contained in a paper presented during a virtual meeting convened by Center for Values in Leadership, CVL, in collaboration with Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF.
In the paper titled ‘Insecurity and Governance Challenges in the New Normal’, the Governor said “governments at all levels must come to terms with the fact that insecurity is a real threat to development of the country and (they must) be willing to sincerely tackle the menace”
He also recommended adequate funding of security agencies and continuous training of personnel to enable them be abreast of global dynamics in the fight against insecurity.
With particular reference to the farmers- herders crisis which has led to the killing of hundreds in the last few years, the Governor urged the Federal Government to embrace ranching, as in his view, this is the global best practice of animal husbandry.
Ortom also called for a federal legislation to end open grazing.
Governor Ortom also advocated improved educational standards and enhanced public enlightenment campaigns to give the people, particularly youths the needed orientation to shun negative acts and become more patriotic.
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He called for the repositioning of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency through training, funding and logistics to successfully confront drug barons and peddlers; a move he said would stop illegal drugs from entering and circulating in the country.
He tasked the federal, state and local governments to show greater commitment to developing the agricultural value chain to generate more jobs for Nigerians.
Governor Ortom concluded his presentation by stating that Benue State has made significant contributions to national development and as the food basket of the nation, if the state is threatened by insecurity, the negative impact would be on the entire country.
He therefore solicited the support of all stakeholders in tackling security challenges and pledged the resolve of his administration to ensuring the safety of lives and property.
Edited by Sola Jaiyesimi
