Army to Ortom: You’ve Armed Militia on Your Payroll
Ortom to Army: I Don’t Have Armed Militia on My Payroll
Nigerian Army Versus Benue State Government…The Next Battle
“Troops from the 93 Battalion on Monday January 8 disarmed and arrested nine members of an armed militia known as civilian JTF in Taraba with five AK 47 rifles.
“During preliminary investigation, the suspects claimed that the weapons were issued to them by Benue State Government. They also confirmed that they were 60 in number in their camp located in Pegie.
“…they revealed that Benue State Government pays them the sum of N60,000 monthly.”
■ Kayode Owolabi (Nigerian Army)
“We wish to state categorically that Benue State Government under Governor Samuel Ortom has not recruited any militia group and armed them since the Governor assumed office.
“Governor Ortom is widely recognized for his disarmament policy which brought the amnesty programme leading to the recovery of about 700 arms and ammunition with over 800 youths laying down their weapons to embrace the programme across the State.
“It is also on record that the present administration inherited the State Civilian Joint Task Force from the previous government but later proscribed it.”
■ Terver Akase (Benue State Government)