President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday approved the release of $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to counter insecurity in Nigeria.
Defence Minister, Col. Mansur Dan-Ali, who spoke to newsmen after the President’s meeting with security chiefs explained the state governors had as at last December agreed to allow the federal government withdraw 1 billion Dollars from the $2.31 billion left in the ECA in the fight against insurgency in the North-east.
Dan-Ali also hinted that the meeting with the president included discussions on the security situation in Taraba, Zamfara and other states.
The minister, however, gave no hints as to whether or not the state Houses of Assemblies had given the federal government consent to withdraw the ECA funds given that the ECA funds belong to the three tiers of government.
While speaking on the latest Boko Haram attacks on Dapchi, he remarked that efforts were being made to rescue Christian student Leah Sharibu, who has continued to stay in Boko Haram captivity following her refusal to convert to Islam.
Photo Credit: sunnewsonline