Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, on Tuesday, signed the Kaduna State Security Trust Fund Bill 2024 into law.
The new law is expected to help tackle the rising wave of insecurity in the state.
The Bill repealed the State Security Trust Fund Law No. 22 of 2018, according to a statement released by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu.
The governor said the signing into law of the bill, was a clear demonstration of his administration’s resolve “towards degrading terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements who have been laying siege to some communities in the state.”
According to the governor, the Security Trust Fund will enable the State Government to support local and federal security agencies with equipment and logistics.
“Additionally, security personnel will be trained and retrained to respond effectively to current and emerging security threats.
“Funds would also be devoted to Psychological Operations, aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the people,” he added.
The governor also appealed to corporate organisations and public-spirited individuals to donate generously to the Fund.
“Security is everybody’s business. We must join hands to uproot the evil elements destroying our local economies and the livelihoods of our people,” he said.
The governor also noted that unlike the repealed State Security Trust Fund Law 2018, the Kaduna State Security Trust Fund Law 2024 would be private-sector driven.
He added that representatives of the private sector would play a prominent role in the management of the Fund while noting that “the private sector representatives will manage the Fund in collaboration with other critical stakeholders in the security sector.”
“The new Law is also designed to align with global best practices. It is a model for other sub-nationals,” he added.
“Metronews NG” reports that Sani had hinted at the establishment of the STF following the resurgence of kidnapping where at least 30 travellers were on January 7, 2024, abducted along Dogon-Fili near the Katari general area, in Kachia Local Government Area of the state.
During an emergency Security Council Meeting which had in attendance traditional rulers drawn across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state, heads of security agencies, the governor hinted at the establishment of the Security Trust Fund as a way of tackling the rising wave of insecurity in the state.
“The Kaduna State Government is looking at the possibility of establishing the Kaduna State Security Trust Fund as a means of collaborating with corporate organizations, the business community, industrialists, professional groups, individuals, and all critical stakeholders towards enhancing material and logistic support to our security forces,” he had said.
