By Adadainfo
The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, Tuesday, 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 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, to seek clarifications on the matter.
He said, “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.
“The primary responsibility of any responsive government is to ensure safety of lives and property. We must not allow this to continue.”
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 said security 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.
He commended sacrifices of security operatives in the state, and 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.
