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Insecurity: I Didn’t Ask Nigerians To Take Up Arms – Ortom

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, says his comment asking Nigerians to get themselves armed due to the security challenges in the country was misconstrued.
In statement by his spokesman, Tever Akase, Ortom said he only suggested that responsible citizens be given licence to own weapons.
Ekohotblog reports that the governor was reacting to a report titled “Governor Ortom’s double speak,” over the issue of Nigerians owning guns.
The governor said the writer of the was either out a cause mischief or didn’t get the crux of his gun licence agitation.
He said recent admonition to Benue youths was to enjoin them to support security operatives with timely and useful information to enable them win the war against insecurity.
The statement reads: “We read an opinion piece by one Awunah Pius Terwase with the title ‘Governor Ortom’s Double Speak’ in which the writer stated that the Benue State Governor contradicted himself with his call for licensing of some persons to own guns after he had previously disarmed Benue youths who carried weapons.
“The writer was either out to cause mischief or was at a loss regarding the facts of Governor Ortom’s stand on the issue of gun licensing.
“The Governor did not call for the arming of every Nigerian. He was specific that responsible Nigerians be given licenses to own weapons as this will deter criminals from easily attacking and robbing or even killing people”.
Akase said his principal’s call was genuine as it was spurred by the number of lives being lost due to criminal activities that could have been thwarted
“We expect the writer of the said piece to look at the merits of the Governor’s call in the face of increased kidnappings, armed banditry and herdsmen attacks in many states with the attendant negative effect on the country.
Read Also: Insecurity: Nowhere Is Safe In Nigeria – Gov. Ortom
“As the Governor explained, the issuance of licenses on light weapons is a policy that has been in existence, but over the years, criminals who illegally acquire arms take advantage of that to get away with a number of atrocities. Governor Ortom’s call was therefore a patriotic reminder to the Federal Government to act fast and grant responsible Nigerians permission to own sophisticated weapons for self defense.
“The amnesty programme initiated by Governor Ortom was aimed at disarming criminals who were terrorizing the state, not responsible people. The category of people who embraced the scheme and surrendered their arms admitted to committing heinous crimes and begged for pardon with a promise to turn a new leaf.
“We wonder why anyone would intentionally want to twist facts to achieve his target.”
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