Kaduna State Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai says the state government has spent N21 billion on logistics support to security agencies operating in the state in the last seven years.
He made the disclosure in Abuja on Thursday, at the weekly briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Team.
El-Rufai explained that the move was aimed at complimenting the effort of the armed forces and other security agencies and proffer solutions to the security challenges troubling the state.
“In recurrence, security to federal security agencies and our own vigilance services and so on, we have spent close to N21 billion and we are talking of seven years,” he said.
Purchase of tech/communication equipment
The Governor also revealed that the state government within the same period has spent N10 billion on purchases of technological gadgets and communication equipment that will boost the fight against criminals in the state.
“In terms of capital investments, drones, safe city, radio frequency, GSM tracker, we bought our own. We don’t rely on the office of the National Security Adviser or Directorate of Security Services for that, we have ours. The forensic lab, by the time we will be done, it will be another N10-12 billion.
“We are not talking about reimbursement but it is worth it if we are able to achieve full security in our state. We will continue to invest in it; we don’t count the cost of security, we just want to achieve full human security, that is what bothers us,” he added.
Restoring peace
The Governor spoke further on the security situation in the state and the non-kinetic measure being taken to address the problem and said his administration had since established the Kaduna Peace Commission, formed a farmer-herders reconciliation committee at all Local Governments of the State among others.
“Some of the security challenges that have endured in Kaduna have to do with ethnic and religious intolerance. Banditry is a new phenomenon. The one that Kaduna has been famous for is ethno-religious crisis.
“We have managed to contain that to a large extent and now the ethnic enclaves particularly in Kaduna and people now Muslims and Christians live together now because everyone feels safe. It will take a long time but I think we are moving in the right direction. People need to know that every Nigerian has the right to live anywhere that he chooses in the country so long as he is law-abiding and there is beauty in diversity,” the Governor advised.
The Governor told Journalists that despite the security challenges troubling the State, the government in the state under his leadership has been able to deliver democratic dividends to its citizens.
He noted that prominent among his achievements include human capital development, provision of free primary and secondary education, health sector reforms, social development, job creation and infrastructure development.
Terrorism Financiers
The Governor also revealed that all known financiers of boko haram insurgency are in custody and they will soon be prosecuted.
“I am sure there is a reason for not naming and shaming them. Most of them are in custody and they are going to be tried and you need to be very careful how much you reveal before putting them on trial.
“Virtually all of them are in custody. I can assure you that because the operation involved my state so I was being briefed as it was going on.
“We know their names and everything. They will be on trial soon and their trial is likely to be public so you will know them but they are everywhere including Lagos and Portharcourt, everywhere all over Nigeria, I was shocked to know that one of them was based in Zaria and the kind of money involved. I am sure there is a good reason why the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed did not mention their names and the reasons have to do with the fact that they are going to be tried,” El-Rufai explained.
Nneka Ukachukwu
