Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom, has said that state governments and the federal government are currently working to achieve state policing.
The governor disclosed this on Thursday at the passing-out ceremony of the second batch of Benue community volunteer guards on Thursday in Markurdi.
According tobhom, the federal government has started working with the governors towards implementing state police.
“State Governments are currently working with the Federal Government of Nigeria towards moving from community policing to State Police.
“When this eventually becomes a reality we will give the current Community Volunteer Guards the pre-emptive rights to join the State Police. That is, the first right of first refusal” he said.
The first batch of 500 guards were inaugurated in August.
Ortom said the state government is waiting for the approval of the federal government to procure arms for the volunteer guards.
“I have on behalf of the Benue State Government applied to the responsible Federal Government Agency for approval to procure automatic weapons, particularly AK47 Assault Rifles to further strengthen your logistic support base and your defence capability.
“I am still awaiting approval from the Federal Government to deal accordingly”, he said.
