March 7, 2018

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue has called for the review of  the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) protocol, saying it has  become a tool used by foreigners to  undermine Nigeria’s security.

Ortom made the call on Wednesday in Makurdi during a courtesy call on him by the Comptroller General of the  Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Muhammed Babandede.

“If the ECOWAS protocol has become a cog in the progress of Nigeria, it is high time we reviewed  it,” he said.

The governor also called for strict adherence to provisions on procedures for trans-human movement within ECOWAS member countries.

He further  called for the enforcement of  the provisions for quarantine services for livestock and prohibition of movement with arms as well as regulations that apply to human beings for improved security in the country.

According to Ortom, security reports revealed   that the heightened insecurity in the country is linked to foreign herdsmen who enter the country without valid documents and compliance with regulations.

He urged  NIS to curtail the incursion of immigrants  into the country,  pledging  his continued support to the service for optimal performance.

The governor, however,   requested  for the recruitment of more Benue indigenes into NIS while promising  to assist in providing land  for the construction of  its state office.

Earlier, Babandede had expressed sympathy with the government and people of the state over the killings by suspected herdsmen.

He pledged the support of the service in addressing the security challenges  in the state.

Babandede  said that he was in the state to patrol the border area at Abande in Kwande Local Government Area with a view to checking the influx of illegal foreigners into the country.