The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has directed security agencies in the state to hunt down all criminals and gang related militia to create enabling environment for investments.

The Governor on Friday said that insecurity had affected his effort to woo foreign-direct investments to the agricultural and mineral sectors of the state’s economy.

Governor Ortom gave the directive in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State while flagging off a three-day Social and Skill Acquisition Retreat for over 1,000 ex-criminals who embraced his amnesty programme.

The training retreat, according to him, followed President Muhammadu Buhari and the United Nation’s joint approval to reform the repentant criminals to serve as a template for other African countries in ending social problems.

The Governor expressed hopes that the amnesty programme would address both security and investment promotion concerns.

Some of the participating ex-gang members, Joseph Tyonna and Ahamgba Ati, promised to help the Benue State government overcome insecurity. They urged the government to include them in the agricultural revolution plan.

Benue State presently enjoys relative peace and tranquillity as over 1,000 known criminals took up Governor Ortom’s amnesty offer and turned in over 400 assorted weapons and ammunition. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows Gov. Ortom