Boko Haram Insurgency Has Cost Yobe N10bn, Says Gaidam

BEVERLY HILLS, January 16, (THEWILL) – The Yobe State Government said it has spent a whopping N10bn on problems resulting from the five-year-old Boko Haram insurgency.

The state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, disclosed this at a fundraising ceremony for his re-election,.

The governor said since the insurgeny started, he has been playing a supportive role in meeting the logistics and other needs of security forces who have been providing security for the people of the stae.

Gaidam listed the areas where his administration has been offering support to include procurement of vehicles, payment of allowances, medical treatment to injured security personnel, and assistance to families of those killed in the counter-terrorism war, among others.

Lamenting that the money expended in the fight against insurgency could have been used for provision of social services for the people of the state, Gaidam said: “Our accumulated expenditure from the beginning of the insurgency to date is over N10 billion.”

“It is obvious that the security challenges have slowed down the execution of our policies and programmes because funds that could have been used for the provision of social services are being deplored to support the fight against insurgency.”

While also faulting the federal government for failing to offer a lasting solution to the insurgency, he disclosed that from November 3, 2014 to date, the state has witnessed seven major attacks on Damaturu, the state capital; Potiskum, Damagum, Geidam and Babbangida.

Gaidam said the All Progressives Congress (APC) was reaching out to concerned Nigerians to understand the need for change by voting for APC during the forthcoming general elections.

He lamented the deterioration of security in the entire Northeast, urging the people to strengthen their resolve and commitment to ensure victory for the APC in order to bring in the needed change.

Gaidam however promised to consolidate on the achievements so far recorded and solicited the support of the people towards the realisation of his dreams for the state.

He also expressed gratitude to those who contributed to his re-election campaign , saying the money would be used for advertisements and campaigns in the media apart from logistics.

At the ceremony which was attended by Gaidam's political associates, friends and family members, over N495 million was raised.