The Principal Private Secretary (PPS) to the Kaduna State Governor, Mr. Yohanna Allahmagani has disclosed that the state spends N300 million weekly (N1.2 billion monthly) for the maintenance of security personnel deployed to keep the peace in the state.
The PPS, who made the disclosure yesterday, at a well attended peace and reconciliatory meeting between Ikulu communities made up of Bajju, Fulani and Hausa at the Kamuru palace of Agwom Akulu, His Royal Highness, Yohanna S Kukah, sued for peaceful understanding among the people of the state.
He said, “Insecurity in the state is a huge drain on the lean resources of the state, because so much is spent to maintain the personnel involved in enforcing the peace.
“From Zaria to Kafanchan, you see military men. The state government pays each one of them daily. We spend N300 million every week to pay their allowances and other things.
“Imagine what N300 million can do for this community? I am calling on all those who have left their homes to return. In all of Southern Kaduna, Ikulu chiefdom is noted for peace. What happened in Kamuru was not violence. Some people yes, had their homes vandalised, and some may have sustained injuries while running away. But we all know that no one was killed,” he said.
He assured that the state government would want everyone to re-integrate to his place of abode, so that the huge amount spent on security would be used to address the dire needs of development.
On his part, the Chief of Ikulu, described the meeting as timely. He called on all that had fled the communities to return, saying without them the chiefdom will be incomplete.
Kamuru is measured to be about 150Km south of Kaduna metropolis, in Zangon Kataf Local Government Council (LGC).
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