Benue State governor Samuel Ortom, in an attempt to check the condition of insecurity in the State, has established a vigilante group, instructing them to carry arms, in order to defend themselves.

The governor, Thursday, disclosed this in an expanded stakeholders meeting held at the New banquet hall of the Government House, Makurdi.

He said the approval of the vigilante groups was meant to combat the high state of insecurity in the State.

Ortom said renewed attacks on the people by armed herdsmen had overstretched security agencies, stressing that government had decided to enforce the law to establish vigilante groups.

Additionally, he noted that the vigilante would be constituted from community to local government levels; to complement the operations of conventional security agencies.

He also explained that the recruitment process would start immediately, stating that those to be recruited would be within the age range of 18 to 50, and mostly service men.

Governor Ortom was quoted to have said that, “all vigilantes must carry weapons that are licensed; so that anytime there is external aggression, they must be able to rise up to defend themselves”.

Meanwhile, the stakeholders are Benue indigenes across party lines, traditional rulers, the clergy, national and state assembly members as well as past and present leaders.

During the meeting, the stakeholders passed a vote of confidence on governor Ortom, the motion of confidence on the governor was moved of the three main socio-cultural organizations in Benue.

They commended the governor effort in demonstrating true leadership qualities, at the detriment of his life, to secure and protect the people of Benue State.

Ijeoma Njoku reporting, Obinwannem News