Ortom asks Abuja to account for fund amid growing terrorist attacks
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Benue Governor Samuel Ortom has asked the federal government to explain the disbursement of $1 billion the 36 states jointly contributed to bolster national security now worsened with terrorists penetrating the land with great ease.
“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?” he said before a State Security Council meeting in Makurdi.
“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.”
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Nigeria helpless to tackle insecurity
Ortom expressed sadness that Nigeria, the giant of Africa, has become helpless to tackle insecurity, lamenting: “It is very painful to see the country where it is today.”
He said security should be the concern of every citizen regardless of political leaning as protection of lives and property is a priority, per Vanguard.
He acknowledged the challenges security officers face in the discharge of their duties in Benue and commended their sacrifices.
Terrorists seek to restrict religious freedom
Ortom had earlier this month stressed that the intention of terrorists in bombing churches and kidnapping and killing both clergymen and worshippers is to scare people and restrict their religious freedom.
He made the point in an address to Nigerians in Diaspora and friends of Nigeria at the Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) International Ministerial Fringe Events on Nigeria, organised by Para-Mallam Peace Foundation and the International Organisation for Peace-Building and Social Justice in London.
“Freedom is humanity’s most valuable commodity, and equally its most contested,” Ortom said in a statement he issued through his Diaspora Affairs Special Assistant Peter Ichull.
“It is for this reason that every just and progressive society must uphold certain freedoms for all people as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human rights, the international covenant on civil and political rights, the constitutions of most nations, including Nigeria and other rights’ documents ….
“Freedom of Religion and Belief is all-important since it ensures that every individual has the right to worship in peace and security as well as change religion or belief at any time without the fear of persecution.
“The country is under siege and bombing churches and killing the clergy and worshippers is meant to send fear into the living to restrict their religious freedom.
“Nigerians in the Diaspora should use the international environment with its free press to draw attention to problems in their country and speak against religious extremism ….
“The steps Nigerians expect the federal government to take to include:
- “Treating all religions and beliefs equally;
- “Prosecuting all religious offenders according to the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;
- “Ensuring the return and rehabilitation of all Internally Displaced Persons to their ancestral lands;
- “Payment of full compensation to all victims of religious persecution and insecurity; and
- “Ensuring that victims of religious persecution get justice.”