Zamfara ₦20bn Security Fund to tackle banditry, kidnapping – Gov Lawal

<p>The Governor said money from the trust fund would be used to acquire security equipment and deployment of personnel and their material and financial needs.</p>, <span>Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal and the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja. NAN</span>, <h2>Governor Lawal Dauda of Zamfara has assured that the ₦20 billion Security Fund set up by the government was to have sustainable funding mechanism for tackling insecurity and other challenges facing the state.</h2>, <p>The governor in a statement by his media aide, Suleiman Idris on Wednesday in Gusau, dismissed claims by the state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) that trust fund was floated to defraud the state.</p>, <p>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.</p>, <p>The APC through its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Yusuf Idris in a statement alleged that the governor wanted to draw the money from the state and local governments joint account.</p>, <p>According to the APC, the governor also plan to use the money to buy arms, which is the prerogative of the Federal Government.</p>, <p>It further claimed that the fund was floated by the governor to enrich himself.</p>, <p>The governor dismissed the claims, saying the APC was only being mischievous and “suffering from crass ignorance”.</p>, <p>“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.</p>, <p>“It will help the government to solicit funds within and outside the state, including private organisations and individuals.</p>, <p>“Relevant authorities in the state including the Legislature and Judiciary were fully involved and engaged in developing the Security Trust Fund.</p>, <p>“A board will be constituted to decide on what to do with the funds, no interference whatsoever from the Governor,” he added.</p>, <p>Lawal explained that the board would have an Exe