The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union SOKAPU has advocated for establishment of a security outfit similar to the Volunteer Guards recently launched by Benue State government.
A statement signed by Acting National President of the Union Mr. Awemi Dio Maisamari noted that Kaduna state, just like Benue, especially Southern Kaduna, has witnessed mass killings of citizens, wanton destructions of communities, and large scale disruption of economic activities among others carried out by armed bandits.
It Says establishing such outfits was a display of courage, wisdom and political will to assist the Conventional security forces fight effectively and defeat the bandits.
“This kind of project, in view of the reality that Kaduna state is blessed with millions of able bodied young men and women who are capable of defending the state in collaboration with the thinly spread military and security agencies, if given minimal training, discipline and authorised weapons under the supervision of government.”
It says the law setting up the Volunteer Guards, are provided by legally approved weapons to assist the military and security agencies operating in the state with a backup manpower for much more effective protection of Benue communities.
The Union therefore calls on the Kaduna State government, and the entire government of the North West and the Middle Belt states as a matter of urgency, to emulate governor Ortom in endorsing the South Western States and South East in charting a viable cause to fight security challenges.
The statement added that with the initiative thousands of captives in the dens of Kidnappers will be rescued and the culprits brought to book.
Rel/Shindong Bala/Kaduna