A top military source in Abuja, who confirmed the story to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that at the time of arrest, five of the militia were armed with AK-45 rifles, fully loaded.
The unnamed source said that shortly after their apprehension, a reinforcement of CJTF came to prevent troops from transporting the suspects to the Battalion Headquarters.
“However, when the soldiers stood their ground the armed militia’s reinforcement withdrew.
“During the preliminary investigation, the arrested CJTF claimed that the weapons were issued to them by Benue State government through one Alhaji Aliyu Tashaku.
“The suspects also confirmed that they were 60 in number in their own camp located at Gbeyi, Benue State.
“However, further investigation revealed that they were more than 1,000 at the camp, while over 700 of them bear arms.”
The source also allegedly stated that the suspects claimed they were being paid a monthly stipend of N15,000 by the state government and that the state is owing them (militia) close to five months salary.
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However, in its reaction the state government denied the claim through a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Gov Samuel Ortom, Samuel Ortom. He added that saying the present Benue State government had implemented an amnsesty programme that led to the recovery of 700 arms and ammunition and over 800 youths laying down their weapons
He says: “We wish to state categorically that the Benue State Government under Governor Samuel Ortom has not recruited any militia group and armed them since the Governor assumed office.
“It is also on record that the present administration inherited the State Civilian Joint Task Force from the previous government but later proscribed it.” ‘’
He further noted that following the enactment of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in the state last year, the government set up Livestock Guards to help in implementation of the law.
He says: “The Livestock Guards are not armed personnel. Their job is to ensure compliance with the regulation of ranches establishment and prohibition of open grazing of animals in the State.
“The Benue State Government believes in the use of conventional security agencies to protect the people. Even in the face of renewed killing of innocent people by herdsmen in Logo and Guma Local Government Areas, Governor Ortom did not let the people resort to self help.
“The Governor acted swiftly to get the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari for the deployment of more troops to troubled parts of the State.
