By Matthew Ajai-Kume
Governor Samuel Ortom has acknowledged the commitment of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) to the protection of lives and property of the people.
The governor who made the acknowledgement Monday during the familiarisation visit by the new State Commander of NSCDC, Mr Sule Okeji at the Conference Hall, New Banquet Hall, Benue People’s House, Makurdi, applauded the Corp for its steadfastness in enforcing the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, especially through the Corp Agro Ranger Unit.
Governor Ortom commended the corp for its contributions to the security of the state, which has complimented other security agencies’ effort for relative peace in the state.
He condoled the corp over the death of their personnel who was kidnapped and killed when fighting for open grazing prohibition by people suspected to be armed Fulani militia.
Governor Ortom maintained that, due to the inadequacy of the Police to cover some critical areas in the state, government will do well to partner the corp, in order for them to man other critical areas, especially in the rural areas, by maintaining peace and securing lives and property of the citizens.
The Governor condoled the Corp over the death of one of their gallant officer who was kidnapped and killed by the people believed to be Armed Fulani Militia when carrying on his duties while he assured them of total support to succeed.
Earlier, the Commander, NSCDC, Benue State Command, Sule Okeji said the attention given to them is due to the commitment of the corp in partnership with the governor to provide security to the state.
He assured that, his tenure would make the state safer and secure by working hard to eliminate every manner of crimes and criminality.
The commander commended the governor for his fight against open grazing in the country and especially in Benue State.
Okeki assured the governor of total support from the corp to succeed, while he called on the people of the state to always provide security and intelligence report to the corp to serve them better.
While appreciating the governor for his various assistance to the corp, by providing motorcycles, refurbishing broken down vehicles, he appealed to the governor to present the temporary land occupied by the corp, as permanent office.
Meanwhile, Governor Samuel, who Monday also played host to the new State Commander of National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Mrs Gloria Bai at the Conference Hall, New Banquet Hall, Benue People’s House, Makurdi, charged the agency to sustain its fight against trafficking in persons.
Governor Ortom who said the menace is so rampant at the moment, promised to provide mobility and pay the rent of the agency as soon as the economy of the state improves.
Earlier, in her address, the new Commander, NAPTIP, Benue State Command, Mrs Gloria Bai told the governor that, the agency is working hard to prevent the trafficking in persons and other related activities.
Mrs Bai noted that the agency has so far prosecuted 27 persons, while 24 accused persons have already been convicted.
She appealed to the governor for support in the provision of operational vehicles to the agency as well as finances to enable them pay they command office rent and tackle other official assignments.
