Governor Ortom

By Ngozi Onyeakusi—The Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom,  has challenged  the Federal Government to account for the $1 billion security fund jointly contributed by states governments to tackle insurgency in the country.

Addressing journalists at the government house, Makurdi, shortly before the commencement of the state security council meeting yesterday, the governor wondered what the federal government did with the money while insecurity is since a part of the daily lives of Nigerians.

“What have they done with the $1 billion 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,” he said.

Ortom said he had mandated his deputy, Mr. Benson Abounu, who represented him at a virtual meeting of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, to seek clarifications on the matter.

He 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.”

However, he said 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 should be prioritised.