NEWS
We would legally procure AK-47, AK-49 to fight terrorist in Benue – Samuel Ortom
The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has declared that the state will lawfully buy AK-47 and AK-49 firearms for its Community Volunteer Guards security force.
Ortom made this announcement on Thursday in Makurdi, the state capital, at the unveiling of the security outfit.
As national security deteriorated, states including Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, and Zamfara also signaled that they would arm their security agencies.
In order to ensure that schools are safe and reopened, officials of security services, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the diplomatic community, and a few government ministries met in Abuja on Thursday.
At the unveiling of the Benue State Security outfit, Ortom revealed that the state was being attacked as a result of the peoples’ refusal to surrender their land.
According to Ortom, the first batch of 500 recruits came from the state’s 23 local government areas, and they took part in the passing out procession at IBB Square in Makurdi.
The governor said that the Federal Government’s inability to disarm the militias led to his administration’s decision to establish the security organization.
He promised that his administration will obtain advanced firearms like the AK-47 and AK-49 legitimately for the security personnel.
Ortom said, “Given the fact that the Federal Government has consistently failed to disarm the terrorists who have continued to maim and kill our people at will, the state government is going to apply for a licence to legally procure AK-47, AK-49 and other sophisticated weapons for the Benue State Volunteers Guards to enable them tackle these murderous terrorists effectively.
“To do this effectively, the Benue State Government had approved a two-week capacity building programme for 500 personnel of the Community Volunteer Guards to learn some basic paramilitary aspects.”
He pledged that Benue State Community Volunteer Guard operations will rigorously follow the law and issued a warning that any official found breaking the law would be expelled.
For the Volunteer Guards to operate as effectively as possible, 30 functional vehicles and 200 communication tools were purchased.
READ ALSO: We lost an Amazon of inestimable value – Ortom mourns Ada Ameh
In the same development, the Ondo State Government stated that it was attempting to obtain a license for the Amotekun Corps members so they could fight the robbers.
In an interview, Akogun Adeleye, the commander of the Amotekun Corps and special adviser to governor Rotimi Akeredolu on security, stated that one of the issues facing the corps was its inability to transport advanced weapons.
But he claimed that the state administration was addressing the issue.
“We were made to understand that such weapons belong to the exclusive list that will only be granted by the Federal Government and that is why we are asking for the creation of state police which will put to rest all these intimidations by these invaders,” Adeleye stated.
Similarly, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Jimoh Dojumo, said the government was working towards acquiring the licence.
“We are working towards that and it will pass through the state House of Assembly,” he stated.
Also in Osun State, Governor Gboyega Oyetola was certain that Amotekun should be armed, according to Abiodun Ige, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security.
However, she pointed out that the operatives may only work together with other arm-bearing security organizations in accordance with the current operational law governing Amotekun’s operations.
Ige said, “It is the governor that will be able to answer that question but I know that Governor Oyetola is of the strong opinion that if they can allow them (Amotekun) to carry arms, it will be fine.
“But under the current operational law, they are to work in collaboration with other security agencies. And that gives them the fire-power that they need to operate effectively.”
According to Jamilu Iliyasu, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State, the governor would adhere to the law when buying firearms for self-defense in the state.
Iliyasu claimed that the state assembly was now considering amendments to the measure allowing the acquisition of firearms for self-defense. The governor, he continued, would abide by any gun-related legal requirements.
He asserted that Matawalle would never do something that would violate a constitutional provision.
In a worrying incident, a XEJET Airlines aircraft carrying 52 passengers veered off the runway at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos on Saturday, just 16 days after Dana Air was shut down by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authorities.
The Airbus, with registration number 5N-BZZ, departed from Abuja and landed in Lagos at 11:29 am.
However, it skidded off the runway of the domestic wing of the airport, prompting the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to shut down the 18/Left runway.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) confirmed the incident and is investigating the cause of the skid.
No injuries or fatalities were reported, and an investigation is ongoing.
Details later……..
Senator David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has announced his firm commitment to face the House of Representatives’ scrutiny regarding the contentious N15 trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway road project.
Umahi also revealed plans to broadcast the proceedings live on television, ensuring transparency and accessibility for all Nigerians.
Emphasizing the project’s integrity, Umahi affirmed that he and the Ministry of Works meticulously adhered to proper procedures, securing all requisite approvals and documentation prior to project initiation.
He said, “I am ready to face the National Assembly to defend the project. I will not want to say anything now till I meet with the Senators and House of Reps members. It will be live so you will also hear it. It will be live so that Nigerians will see it.
“When people say the project is on personal interest, there is a contradiction there. This is because Atiku Abubakar said the Jonathan administration wanted to do that project which would have cost about $12bn or so. So, whose interest was that administration promoting in trying to do that project?
“I have a design from the NDDC (Niger Delta Development Commission) on that project. The NDDC designs are quite bulky. When I was implementing this current project, I had to call for the design.
“There is no personal interest in this project. The idea of that project came from the ingenuity of Mr President (Bola Tinubu) when he was governor; he was the one who procured the right of way within the Lagos corridor and gazetted it.
“The reason for the project taking off now is all about how we can inject some activities into the economy. If we want to come out of inflation, we have to look at investments in infrastructure and that is what this project is addressing. It is addressing a lot of elements of return on investments. There is no personal interest associated with that.
“It is quite petty to ask why it is starting from Lagos and not Calabar. The name of the project is ‘Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road’ and not the other way around. This means there is a zero point, which happens to be at Ahmadu Bello Way, which coincides with the Eko Atlantic.”
On status of the project he opined “That is pure coincidence. We have started the project already and it is progressing. As of today, I can tell you that about 80 per cent of the first 1.3km is completed.”
The standoff between Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, intensified on Friday as police presence swelled at the House of Assembly quarters along Aba Road, Port Harcourt.
With approximately 30 officers securing both the primary and secondary entrances and an additional 25 patrol vans blocking other access points, the situation grew increasingly tense.
This development followed accusations by House Speaker Martins Amaewhule, who alleged Governor Fubara’s involvement in plans to demolish the legislative quarters.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara had made a surprise visit to the facility on Thursday afternoon, stating that he wanted to assess the premises following the appointment of a new Speaker.
He said, “Is the Assembly quarters not part of my property? Is there anything wrong in going to check how things are going on there?
“You are aware of the developments. We have a new Speaker, and I went there to see for myself how things are. There might be a few things I might want to do there for the good of our people.”
According to reports, after Amaewhule’s alarm, anti-Fubara lawmakers and certain All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains maintained a vigil around the estate until Friday.
Earlier, a Rivers court had restrained the Pro-Wike lawmakers from identifying themselves as legislators, declaring their seats vacant. Meanwhile, the ‘Sim Media Volunteers’ group, during a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Friday, urged the Inspector-General of Police to oversee police activities in the state and ensure adherence to rules of engagement.
Frank Kilsi, the Convener, expressed concern over the arrest and intimidation of the governor’s supporters by the police, warning that such actions could lead to anarchy.
Kilsi stated, “We call on the Inspector-General of Police to rein in his men and exercise restraint by stopping the unnecessary attack or wanton arrest on any of the governor’s supporters, as further harassment could lead to anarchy and breakdown of law and order that may not do our state any good.
“We, the youths of the state, under the aegis of SIM Media Volunteers do hereby emphasize the need for peace, justice and development in Rivers State.
“We implore all relevant stakeholders such as the citizens, political leaders, traditional institutions and law enforcement agencies, to ensure that the rights and freedom of the people are upheld and protected at all times.
“To this end, we would like to acknowledge and applaud the great youths of Rivers State for being peaceful and law-abiding even in the face of provocation”.
BBNaija’s Neo, Venita Win Best Dressed At AMVCA Cultural Day
XEJET Airlines Plane Skids Off Runway At Lagos Airport
GWR: 106-Year-Old Man Sets Skydiving Record
Umahi Vows To Tackle House Scrutiny On N15tn Lagos – Calabar Coastal Highway Project
I’m The Only Artist Nigerians Listen To For 2 Hours – Brymo Boasts
Kylian Mbappe Set To Bid Farewell To PSG
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Adeosun: We are investing in infrastructure to grow the private sector
Shell launches Nigeria campaign on energy efficiency
