The Nigeria Police has confirmed the existence of armed militia
groups in Benue State, countering Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom’s
claims.
Recall that the Benue State Government had denied arming militia to defend themselves against the marauding Fulani herdsmen in the state.
Reacting, the Force Spokesman, Mr Jimoh Moshood, speaking with
Channels Tv said police has evidence showing the ranch guards who were
inaugurated by the state government armed with proficient weapons.
Moshood noted that investigation is ongoing to reveal sources of the
militia groups, adding that it was unlawful for any person to be in
possession of arms without the consent of the Federal Government.
On Ortom’s claims, Moshood said: “Yes, I’m disputing that because we
have evidence that they were armed with AK-47 rifles.Yes, they were
armed with AK-47 (riffles); we have records, we have footage and you
can’t just start arming people.
“There are a lot of militia groups equally in Benue and we are
looking at all those areas to ensure that the actual perpetrators of
this mayhem are promptly arrested.
“People who are supposed to ensure that when they observe (you say
you have a guard) and report back to the police that would probably do
the appropriate thing; if such a guard is armed with AK-47 rifle, how do
you control that, how do you prevent such AK-47 (riffle) from going
into wrong hands
“It is equally important for people to know that we are investigating that, we must know the source of these AK-47 rifles.
“Any organisation that you are setting up before you can carry
firearms must be approved by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the
Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and it shouldn’t be a
prohibited firearm.
“When you don’t draw the police into this and you arm people, you
turn them into militias because you don’t control what they do with
these firearms.”