Abia to re-launch Security Trust Fund, seeks digitalized operations

[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]

Abia Government says the need to procure hi-tech, digital equipment for synergized security operations has necessitated the re-launch of the state’s Security Trust Fund.

Security Adviser to Abia State Governor, Capt. Awa Udonsi (Rtd.) made this known in Umuahia, Thursday, when the Committee on the Launching of Abia Security Support Fund and Deployment of Resident Card paid an advocacy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia Council.

Awa said time has come to deploy modern technology in fighting crime in the state, adding that such electronic equipment cost fortunes and should not be left to the government alone.

The Security Trust Fund comprise of donations from well-meaning Abians and corporate bodies, tax on values of some categories of contracts and N200 monthly security levy on all adults enrolled in the novel Residents, among others.

Udonsi said that Abia’s security architecture has been expanded to include the intelligence-gathering Homeland Watch, the Ebubeagu outfit which operates in the forests, and the patrol-inclined Vigilante Services, all domiciled in the Ministry of Homeland Security, as well as the locaalised Neighbourhood Watch Vigilantes in various communities, in addition to federal security agencies operating in Abia.

The security expert said security activities in the state have been taken to the grassroots and were being synergized, adding “Abia Security today is both horizontal and vertical.”

According to him, the seamless operations of the various homegrown security outfits have led to disappearance of most of the military roadblocks in the state, which he said were intimidating.

Udonsi explained that government was always proactive in security because criminal activities that take place in the seven states bordering Abia always impact negatively on the state. For example, Udonsi said that kidnapping started in a neighbouring state but Abia paid dearly to curb the menace.

He said the peace currently being enjoyed in Abia was derived from a highly articulated security network and opined that current security challenges facing Nigeria today call for re-strategizing of security operations by deploying modern technology.

“We need hi-tech equipment for our security operations like electronic and tracking equipment which are very costly,” he said.

Coordinator of Abia State Security Fund, Sir Darlington Anyanwu, said the state, last December, launched a computer-driven security App known as Abia State Alert System (ABSAS) which monitors response to reported security breaches; while the Residents Identity Card project was ongoing, explaining that both projects were aimed at better security mapping of the state and to ascertain the number of people living in the state.

According to him, ABSAS App could be easily downloaded in smart phones.

 Anyanwu said both steps involve civilians in security operations which “essence is that we watch over each other,” adding that the positive security ranking of Abia was the result of “effective security management.”

Chairman of the Committee who is a Permanent Secretary, Special Services Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Okey Ihedioha, said government decided to re-launch the Abia Security trust Fund because it was now backed by Number 4 of March 2020.

Ihedioha said the fund was first launched in January 2018 when the law was still in the mill. “As we speak, there is a law already enacted that makes the security trust fund support mandatory in the state,” he added.

The Permanent Secretary announced that the re-launch has been slated for September 23, 2021 at Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.

Receiving the team, Chairman of NUJ, Abia State Council, Comrade Victor Ndukwe, assured them that Journalists in the state would support any drive to improve security because it was fundamental to the success of all human endeavours.

Other Committee members, including the Permanent Secretaries of Ministry of Trade and Investment, Chief Charles Egwu; Ministry of Homeland Security, Comrade Christopher Okpara; Ministry of Information, Deaconess Caroline Igwe, and Commander-General of Abia Vigilance Group, Idika Martins Mba, accompanied the Chairman on the visit.