Ortom charges Agro-Rangers on rules of engagement

Returns Gundu as Benue varsity pro-chancellor
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday launched the Operation Agro-Rangers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, with a charge on them to live by the rules of engagement.

Performing the ceremony in Makurdi, Ortom commended the NSCDC personnel for their resilience and doggedness in ensuring the return of peace and tranquility to the state.

The governor specifically commended President Muhammadu Buhari for sending additional security personnel, especially Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), to curb criminality in the Food Basket of the Nation.

Lauding the Federal Government for approving the establishment of Operation Agro-Rangers in the country, the governor charged the officers to take the task before them seriously and be professional in the operation.

Ortom donated four Hilux vans as well as motorcycles to the operation and pledged to repair all their faulty operation vehicles.

He said the state would continue to abide by the rule of law and prayed God to give the officers strength and wisdom to overcome the criminals.

Earlier, in his address, NSCDC commandant in the state, Mr. Kaamilu Isah, said the operation was an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Interior and Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Isah said that the Agro-Rangers were drawn from the Special Forces Division of NSCDC to address security challenges in the agriculture and agro-allied industries in the country, especially in rural communities.

His words: “The personnel in the unit are highly trained both physically and psychologically. They are specially trained to repel all kinds of enemies’ attacks on rural communities.”

“The cardinal pillars of Rangers include: special operation raids and fighting patrols designed to seize, capture or destroy enemy facilities or materials, and joint forcible entry and reconnaissance, which is exploring or scouting deep into the enemy territory to gather intelligence.”

The commandant further disclosed other functions to include arresting the escalating conflict between herders and farming communities and to provide security for all agro investments in the country, thereby ensuring a secured food value-chain from the farmers to the final consumers.

He, however, stressed that the operation would require operational vehicles and logistics to achieve maximum success.

The governor, who is also Visitor to Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, has constituted the Governing Council of the institution for another four years, retaining Prof. Zacharys Gundu as pro-chancellor and chairman of the council.

Other members of the councilinclude Chief Sebastine Hon, Chief Sarah Amahson, Professor Johnson Onah, Dr. Cletus Tyokyaa, Dr. David Idoko and Mr. Williams Jam Gbaden.

According to the governor, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Dennis Ityavyar, the appointment takes effect from April this year at the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent council.