Buhari Should Account For $1bn Security Fund Jointly Contributed By States – Ortom

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to give an account of the $1 billion security funds jointly contributed by the 36 states of the federation to fight insurgency in the country.

Ortom Seeks Audit Of $1bn Fund Governors Gave Buhari

The governor, who spoke at the Government House in Makurdi before the commencement of the State Security Council meeting on Tuesday, wondered what the Federal Government had done with the money that insecurity has continued to escalate in the country.

Ortom said he had mandated his deputy, 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 $1bn 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 the safety of lives and property. The situation where innocent Nigerians are left at the mercy of vicious terrorists is unacceptable. We must not allow this to continue.”

The Governor expressed sadness Nigeria as the giant of Africa had become helpless to tackle its security challenges, saying “it is very painful to see the country where it is today.”

He noted 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.

Ortom, who commended the sacrifices of security operatives in the state, also acknowledged the challenges security officers in the State face in the discharge of their duties.

KanyiDaily recalls that Governor Samuel Ortom had alleged that the cabal have taken over President Muhammadu Buhari’s government and they are dragging Nigeria to the mud.