Kwara leaders urge direct security funding for local governments
Community leaders in Kwara State are demanding that security votes be allocated directly to local governments to help address rising insecurity. Abdul-Ganiyu Olabisi, a retired Air Vice Marshal and head of the Offa Security Committee, highlighted the financial strain on communities funding their own security measures. He noted that local efforts, including vigilante groups, are currently sustained by individual contributions without government support. The leaders believe that direct funding would enhance grassroots security and enable quicker responses to threats.
What we know
- Abdul-Ganiyu Olabisi and the Offa Security Committee addressed journalists about recent attacks in Kwara North and Kwara South.
- The Offa community has set up a vigilante group, funded entirely by local contributions, covering salaries, vehicles, and logistics.
- Over N10 million is spent monthly on security operations without government assistance, which Olabisi says is unsustainable.
- The leaders are calling for direct allocation of security votes to local governments to improve transparency, accountability, and response to insecurity.
- Concerns were raised about the slow progress in establishing state police, with calls for immediate intervention through direct funding to support community-based security efforts.
