…Insists N500m monthly for local security will yield better results

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Plateau State, Chief Kefiano Kefas Ropshik, has urged Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, to prioritise the protection of lives and property within the state before committing resources to the proposed Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund.

Ropshik made the call in a statement on Thursday, backing the position of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) on the proposed regional security initiative.

He argued that Plateau should strengthen its internal security architecture first, insisting that the state would achieve greater results by investing directly in local security than contributing to a regional fund.

According to him, the primary constitutional and moral responsibility of any government is to safeguard its citizens, particularly at a time when many communities in Plateau continue to experience violent attacks, killings and displacement.

The PDP standard-bearer said investing about ₦500 million every month in the state’s security architecture would produce more tangible and measurable outcomes than channeling billions of naira into a regional trust fund over which Plateau has neither direct control nor guaranteed accountability.

“I wholeheartedly support the position of the Middle Belt Forum regarding the proposed Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund. At a time when our people continue to live under the constant threat of violent attacks, our priority must be the direct protection of the lives and property of Plateau citizens,” he said.

Ropshik explained that such monthly investment could be used to procure modern surveillance technology, strengthen intelligence gathering, improve rapid response capabilities, provide logistics for security agencies and establish robust community-based security structures.

He added that the funds could also support the reconstruction of communities devastated by violence and assist thousands of displaced residents to rebuild their lives.

“If Plateau State were to invest just ₦500 million every month directly into strengthening security within our borders, I have no doubt that we would witness a remarkable improvement in our security situation.

“Such resources could provide modern surveillance technology, intelligence gathering, rapid response capabilities, logistics for security agencies, and robust community-based security structures. They could also help rebuild communities destroyed by violence and restore hope to thousands of displaced families,” he stated.

Questioning the wisdom of committing substantial resources to a regional security arrangement while insecurity persists within the state, Ropshik said government must first fulfil its obligation to Plateau residents.

“The fundamental question is simple: How do you invest billions of naira into a trust fund over which you have neither direct control nor guaranteed accountability, while your own communities continue to bleed?

“The first responsibility of every governor is to the people who elected him. Every available resource should first be deployed to secure their lives before being committed elsewhere,” he said.

The PDP governorship candidate lamented the recurring violence that has claimed numerous lives and displaced thousands across Plateau, describing the situation as unacceptable.

He stressed that Plateau deserved a security strategy driven by local realities, local intelligence and local accountability rather than one that depended largely on regional initiatives.

“For too long, Plateau has buried its sons and daughters, watched communities reduced to ashes, and endured the pain of displacement.