Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state; has tasked the Federal Government to increase funding of security challenges that claimed many lives in the country. According to him, the budgetary allocations to military and other security agencies, are grossly inadequate protect people’s lives and property. Bagudu gave the task Sunday, while on a solidary sympathy visit to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state at Government House, Maiduguri. “I and the Governor of Jigawa, Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar, are in Maiduguri on a solidarity sympathy visit on Governor Zulum of Borno state for the unfortunate incident that happened a few days ago in Baga. “We encourage him and to also confirm to the people of Borno that we are in it together.” He said the security challenges are for all Nigerians and not only for the people of Borno, affected in the over decade long Boko Haram insurgency. According to him, the Governors will continue to urge security agencies to do more and secure people’s lives and property. He therefore, urged the federal government to mobilize more funds to support both the security agencies and return of displaced persons to Communities pickup their lives. While appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari for commitments, he said: “Definitely, there is the need for more funding to overcome the security challenges in the two regions of country.” He noted that Brazil has an annual budget higher than that of Nigeria, with a larger population of 200 million. He said that for all the security agencies, there is no doubt that as a nation, its budget is small compared to our needs. On inadequate security funding, Bagudu said; “A country of 200 million people; like us, Brazil has a federal budget of about $700 billion (N266 trillion).While we are under $300 billion (N11.4 trillion),” warning that this is not enough; as a small economy will disappoint everyone. While reechoing previous position on level of Boko Haram terrorism in the stare; Zulum said: “The gravity of the insurgency cannot be compared with what has happened between 2011 to 2015, and 2015 till date. “Yes it’s true. The president has done well.” Continued; “But there’s a sabotage in the system that’ll not allow insurgency to end. The president has to know this very important point. “When he came to Maiduguri two months ago; I said so-because between 2011 and 2015, at a time almost about 22 LGAs we’re under the control of insurgents. “But there’s one very important question that we need to ask: why is the insurgency not ending? He therefore, declared before the governors that; “There’s a sabotage in the system and there’s a need for the President to examine the current situation with a view to resolving it.” He said that terrorism has prevented the large population farming communities from accessing their farmlands for over a decade. According to him, the crux of matter is how we can find a lasting solution to this insurgency that continue to claim more lives and property.
