The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has challenged the
Federal Government to give account of the one billion dollars security funds
jointly put together by the 36 states of the federation to fight insurgency in
the country.
Governor Ortom threw the challenge Tuesday July 26th, 2022
while addressing journalists at Benue Peoples House, Makurdi shortly before the
commencement of the State Security Council meeting.
He wondered what the Federal Government has done with the
money that insecurity has continued to escalate in the country.
The Governor mandated the State Deputy Governor, Engr.
Benson Abounu who represented him at a virtual meeting of the Nigerian
Governors Forum, NGF to seek clarifications on the matter.
“What have they done with the one billion dollars the
Governors Forum gave on behalf of the local governments for security? That
money is huge. What have they done with the money that terrorists will kidnap
citizens without any rescue mission?
“It is even more worrisome and unthinkable that terrorists
will threaten to kidnap our President. If that happens, that means we have no
country again,” Governor Ortom lamented.
According to the Governor, “the primary responsibility of
any responsive government is to ensure safety of lives and property,” stressing
that the situation whereby innocent Nigerians are left at the mercy of vicious
terrorists is unacceptable. “We must not allow this to continue,” Ortom said.
He decried the situation where Nigeria as the giant of
Africa has become helpless to tackle its security challenges, saying “it is
very painful to see the country where it is today.”
Governor Ortom affirmed that security issues should be the
concern of all, emphasising that it should not be tailored along political
lines as protection of lives and property of citizens ought to be prioritized.
While commending the sacrifices of security operatives in
the state, he also acknowledged the challenges security officers in the State
face in the discharge of their duties.
The Governor also reiterated his call on Benue people and
other Nigerians to rise and offer support and appreciation to the families of
security personnel some of whom he noted have paid the supreme prize.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com