By Ummi Ismaeel, Minna
Niger State government has signed into law the establishment of Security Trust Fund (STF) to enhance the management and sustain funding for all security-related activities especially in the provision of both personnel and equipment.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, disclosed this after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting at the Government House in Minna.
The SSG, who was joined in the briefing by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Nasara Dan-Mallam, said that the bill which had been assented to by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello would provide the opportunity for private sectors and individuals to adequately check security threats as part of their corporate social responsibilities.
The committee, which will be under the chairmanship of a non-partisan personality, according to Matane, is to be independent and will be screened by the Niger State House of Assembly for confirmation with only one government representative in the 11-man committee.
Niger State has been on the news lately in the fight against insurgency: armed banditry, kidnapping, the SSG said, adding that the STF was to take full responsibility in allocating and managing the security fund for effective and efficient dealing of security challenges.
Meanwhile, the Commanders of the armed bandits terrorising parts of Niger State met in Shiroro recently for a dialogue with Niger State government to harmonize their position with a view to restoring peace in the state.
The SSG, Ibrahim Matane, who disclosed to newsmen however said the state government did not honour the invitation because it was already in the picture of what the armed bandits were up to hence opted for ‘the carrot and the big stick approach’ in dealing with the situation.
Matane said, “The commanders of the armed bandits held called for a dialogue in Shiroro but there was no government representative at the meeting because it was only bandits in all so as to have peace in the state, although government has its own apprach too”.
Considering the nature and sensitivity in the handling of the security issues which had led to the destruction of hundreds of lives and properties worth millions of Naira, Matane said, “We may engage repentant bandits in dialogue using the stick and carrots approach as a government”.