Ortom made the call while speaking to journalists in Makurdi about the security issues in the state. He was perplexed as to how the federal government had spent the enormous sum of money while the country’s insecurity persisted unabatedly.

The governor said that he had instructed Benson Abounu, his deputy, to seek clarifications on the matter at a virtual meeting of the Nigerian Governors Forum, or NGF.

“What have they done with the one billion dollars the Governors Forum gave on behalf of the local governments for security? That money is huge. What have they done with the money that terrorists will kidnap citizens without any rescue mission?

“It is even more worrisome and unthinkable that terrorists will threaten to kidnap our President. If that happens, that means we have no country again.

“It is the primary responsibility of any responsive government to ensure the safety of lives and property, but the situation whereby innocent Nigerians are left at the mercy of vicious terrorists is unacceptable.

“We must not allow this to continue, it is very painful to see the country where it is today,” Ortom decried.

The Governor admitted that security issues should be the concern of everybody and was against playing it along political lines, noting that, the “protection of lives and property of citizens ought to be prioritized.”

However, he recognised the difficulties security officers in the State have in carrying out their duty and commended the sacrifices made by security personnel.

He urged residents of the state and other Nigerians to come up in support of and gratitude for the families of security officers, particularly those who had paid the ultimate price.