Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has challenged the Federal Government to ensure proper funding of security agencies for the protection of lives and property in the country.
Governor Ortom stated this while partaking in the Nigerian Air Force range shooting classification exercise at the military range, Ayati, near Ikpayongo in Gwer East Local Government Area.
The shooting range exercise is meant to update the Air Force personnel on modern ways of handling weapons and ammunition.
The Benue State Governor along with some top government officials are present at the ceremonial shooting exercise.
This exercise exposes them to the real challenge the security men face in the battlefield.
The Governor seizes the moment to state that without security there would be no peace or socio-economic development.
He believes issues of capacity building, manpower, training, funding and providing equipment for security agencies should be considered very key.
Governor Ortom points out that the manpower of the security agencies is grossly inadequate, and called on the Federal Government to give serious attention to recruiting more security personnel
While commending the security agencies for their efforts, Governor Ortom charged Benue people to continue to support the security agencies in the discharge of their duties rather than being hostile to them.
Earlier, a plaque had been presented to the Governor on behalf of the Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command, TAC, Air Vice Marshal, Precious Amadi, for hitting the bullseye in the range shooting exercise.