Kogi to recruit 500 vigilantes to protect its borders ahead of 2019- The 500 vigilante personnel to be employed will be added to the team already in existence in the country - Col Hassan Aliu confirms the proposed employment saying they would help to protect the borders - Aliu pleads with the people of the state to be law-abiding As security issues take a toll on the central states of Nigeria, the Kogi government, led by Yahaya Bello, has reportedly approved the recruitment of additional 500 vigilante operatives to protect its border areas against infiltration. Daily Independent reports that Col Hassan Aliu, who is the controller of state vigilante service, revealed this in Lokoja, the capital of the state on Tuesday, May 15. READ ALSO: Presidency reportedly denies Nigeria’s presence at US Jerusalem embassy opening Aliu said the decision was to beef up security in the state particularly ahead of the 2019 general election. According to him, those who would be recruited would be dispatched to Omala, Olamaboro, Bassa and other areas on the fringes of the state. He promised that the vigilantes would work in collaboration with other security agencies on the intelligence-gathering and prevention of crime. Aliu commended Governor Yahaya Bello for placing priority on security saying this has yielded positive results. He also pleaded with the residents of the state to always obey the laws of the state and the nation and avoid communal clashes. Legit.ng earlier reported that there was excitement at a camp of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue on Tuesday, May 15, as Vice President Yemi Osinbajo announced that N10 billion had been approved by the federal government to rebuild destroyed areas in the state and its neighbouring areas. PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 news app Osinbajo, who visited the Abagena IDPs camp along Makurdi-Lafia road during his two-day visit to Benue state which commenced, said the approval was granted by President Muhammadu Buhari. EXCLUSIVE: How Obasanjo's coalition can send Buhari packing - Kenny Martins. Legit.ng Source: Legit.ng - The 500 vigilante personnel to be employed will be added to the team already in existence in the country - Col Hassan Aliu confirms the proposed employment saying they would help to protect the borders - Aliu pleads with the people of the state to be law-abiding READ ALSO: Legit.ng PAY ATTENTION: