By DAUD OLATUNJI

ABEOKUTA- Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun has formally inaugurated the Board of Trustees of the Ogun State Security Trust Fund, STF, and while handing over some security gadgets and vehicles to security chiefs for the commencement of the task, saying, the government needed more than N3 billion to fight security challenges.

Amosun at the occasion, which featured launching and fund raising for the security Trust Fund, begged all the stakeholders to assist his administration in the fight against crime and criminalities in the state.

In his speech, Amosun said that the state was experiencing high level of insecurity because of her large landmass and proximity to Lagos and neighbouring countries, adding that, N3 billion had already been invested.

He added that, Ogun State is peculiarly vulnerable to security challenges because of the porous nature of its border, saying that, for it to be effectively protected it requires “technology” and more security command posts.

According to him, Amosun, “we have procured 60 double cabin patrol Vans to be used as operational vehicles. These vehicles have been fitted with sophisticated communication gadgets that will facilitate easy communication between the operational base of the team and other point as well as with the control rooms of all security agencies”.

He further disclosed that, the state government has paid for 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC.

While giving the hints on the workings of the squard, Amosun revealed that, the board headed by former Director-General,State Security Service, SSS, Kayode Are has come up with the modus operandi saying, about 30 mini-camps would be established across the state.

He further said that, the board would need about two thousand men for the job, saying, the operation would need not less than 30 APC for effective policing of all the nooks and cranny of the state.

While giving his acceptance talk, Are, promised to ensure judicious use of the fund, describing it as sacred trust.

Speaking with newsmen on the occasion, the Director-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin, commended the government for the efforts of setting up the security trust fund and as well handing over some equipment and vehicles to the securitymen.