Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has assured the Nigeria Police and Navy of continuous support of the people and government of the state.
The governor gave the assurance Friday at the Benue People’s House, Makurdi when the new Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 4, Musa Halidu and the new Commandant, Nigeria Navy Provost and Regulating School Makurdi, Commodore Mohammed Salisu paid him separate courtesy calls.
Governor Ortom while welcoming the AIG to the state expressed optimism that with his experience, he will deliver on his mandate.
He congratulated Halidu on his elevation to the rank of AIG and informed him that people of the state were law abiding and have respect for constituted authorities, stating that they have always extended support to the Police Force in the state.
“We met a very bad security situation when we came on board. We have been able to put in place laws that have reduced these challenges.
“We don’t take laws into our hands. We make sure that when these laws are violated, we ensure that violators are made to face the wrath of the law.
He informed the AIG about the increase in the activities of terrorist herdsmen in the state after the elections which has led to the loss of several lives and appealed to him for intervention.
“Our people are not happy with the activities of terrorist herdsmen who are trying to take over the lands in the state. They kill, rape and maim at will. Security personnel are not left out of these attacks. Something urgently needs to be done to end these evils.”
Earlier in his remarks, AIG Halidu thanked the governor for the audience. “As Chief Security of the state, it is pertinent for me to intimate you of my posting to the state which is the headquarters of Zone 4 Police Command.”
Halidu who is the 40th AIG Zone 4 disclosed that without support of the governor in the zone, it will be difficult for effective policing, stating that Governor Ortom has supported the zone immensely.
The AIG said intelligent and effective policing go hand in hand with technology in the 21st century and called on the governor to sustain his support to the force.
Similarly, Governor Ortom has expressed appreciation to the Nigeria Navy for sitting the Navy School in the state and for contributing to the security of the state.
“We will support you at all times. Whatever you do here in the state is for our benefits.”
He informed Commodore Salisu that the state will do everything possible to ensure that the Navy gets a permanent site for her school and assured him of support of government and people of the state.
Speaking earlier, Commodore Salisu stated that he was around to identify with the governor, having been posted to the state and thanked the governor for all his support to the Nigeria Navy. “The Navy barracks could not have been achieved without the support of the state government.”
He informed the governor about the challenges of inadequate land for the Nigeria Navy Provost and Regulating School, Makurdi and sought for his intervention in getting a permanent site for the school.
