Zamfara N20bn Security Fund: Governor accuses APC of spreading lies

Gov. Lawal Dauda of Zamfara has assured that the N20 billion Security Fund set up by the government will have a sustainable funding mechanismfor tackling insecurity and other challenges facing the state.

In a statement by his media aide, Suleiman Idris, on Wednesday in Gusau, the governor dismissed claims by the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the trust fund was floated to defraud the state.

Lawal said the security fund would be sourced from within and outside the state, including private organisations and individuals, to address the devastating insecurity in the state.

The APC, through its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Yusuf Idris, alleged in a statement that the governor wanted to draw the money from the state and local governments joint account.

According to the APC, the governor also plans to use the money to buy arms, which is the prerogative of the Federal Government.

It further claimed that the fund was floated by the governor to enrich himself.

The governor dismissed the claims, saying the APC was only being mischievous and “suffering from crass ignorance”.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the purpose of the Security Trust Fund is to help the state have a sustainable funding mechanism to tackle insecurity.

“It will help the government solicit funds within and outside the state, including from private organisations and individuals.

“Relevant authorities in the state, including the Legislature and Judiciary, were fully involved and engaged in developing the Security Trust Fund.

“A board will be constituted to decide on what to do with the funds, with no interference whatsoever from the Governor,” he added.

Lawal explained that the board would have an Executive Chairman who would be a person of impeccable character with a security background and experience, whose appointment would be ratified by the state Assembly.

“Two members will be appointed from the private sector to represent the business and financial communities.”

He added that other members would include a retired senior security officer and five members not below the rank of Permanent Secretary to represent the Ministries of Justice, Internal Security, Finance, Local Government Affairs, and the Bureau for Public Procurement.

“Also, the board will have a representative from each of the following security agencies operating in the state:

“The Nigerian Police Force, Armed Forces, Department of State Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Chairman of Zamfara Traditional Council of Chiefs, and one representative of religious institutions.”

The Governor further said money from the trust fund would be used to acquire security equipment, deploy personnel, and meet their material and financial needs.

This, he said, was to ensure the effective functioning of all security agencies operating in the state, while part of the Fund would be reserved for the retraining of personnel.

“It is the height of ignorance for the Zamfara APC not to know that other APC states, including Lagos, Ogun, Niger, Ondo, Ekiti, Kogi, and Kwara, among others, have established the Security Trust Fund.”

He also dismissed it as an absolute lie that he had not held any security meetings.

Lawal said his first major meeting two days after assuming office was with the state Security Council on May 31.

He said another security council meeting was held on July 23, while on July 27, he met with the Commissioner of Police and all Divisional Police Officers in the state.

The governor said in furtherance of his resolve to correct the negativities created by the APC-led past administration in managing the security situation of the state, he visited the Defence Headquarters on July 13.

Lawal said during the visit he had robust discussions with the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Christopher Musa; all three service chiefs; and the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.

Lawal therefore urged the people of Zamfara to ignore the rantings of the APC and assured them of his resolve to rescue and rebuild the state.