Victims Support Fund Commissions Constructed Fencing of Askira Police Station and Police Barracks in Askira, Borno State

The Elder Statesman and Chairman of the Victims Support Fund (VSF), General TY Danjuma GCON, in line with his concern for the security of victims of insurgency and the welfare of the security forces, approved the rebuilding of the perimeter fence of the Askira Police Station and Police Barracks in Askira, Borno State.

Recall that in 2020, the VSF had commissioned the Police Station and a 4-man rank Police Barrack it had constructed also following the approval of the VSF Chairman, Gen. TY Danjuma GCON, as requested by the Emir of Askira, His Royal Highness Alhaji Mai Abdullahi Muhammadu. To fully secure the first intervention, the Emir again requested for this fencing project and got the approval of the VSF Chairman. The VSF on Tuesday 9^th August 2022 commissioned the constructed fence, an infrastructure project that is aimed at strengthening security and peace in the state while helping to restore life to normalcy for the people who have suffered the devastating effect of the insurgency.

The Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum represented by the Commissioner of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RRR), Hon. Engr. Mustapha Gubio commended the VSF for ensuring that distressed communities in Borno State are resettled and for supporting the relocation of 80,000 IDPs to their ancestral homes in 13 Local Government Areas of the State. Gubio said, “It is, therefore, safe to say that VSF remains one of our earliest collaborators and strongest allies supporting our recovery drive and we remain very appreciative of the collaboration efforts”. He thanked the Chairman of the VSF, General TY Danjuma GCON for his continuous support to the State and called on the Nigerian Police, who are the immediate beneficiaries of the intervention to make the best use of the facility and improve on their security operations of safeguarding the lives and properties of the people of Askira town.

The VSF Chairman Gen. TY Danjuma (Rtd) represented by the VSF Executive Director Prof. Nana Tanko reiterated the commitment of the VSF in supporting victims of terrorism and insurgency in accordance with the mandate of the Fund. Prof Tanko stated that “The mission and responsibility of the Victims Support Fund is to really help in early recovery, that is, to help people after the insurgency to rebuild their lives, and that is why in the past, we have built several primary schools, supported children to go back to school, trained teachers to make sure that children are well taught, empowered women to rebuild their livelihood and supported farmers to go back to their farms in Askira”. She mentioned that “at the Victims Support Fund, whenever we support a project, we also ensure that the local people in the community are empowered. The contractor, resources and the workers that constructed the buildings and the fence were all from within the locality, and the VSF is indeed very pleased with the quality of work that has been done”.

Speaking on behalf of the Emir of Askira, Hon. Abubakar Umar Mazhinyi (Marafa Askira) thanked the VSF for the tremendous support and the projects executed in Askira LGA. He stated that after the insurgency, the people of Askira had nothing but with the aid of the Executive Governor of Borno State and the VSF, they are gradually standing on their feet.

During his speech, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Sugun Mai Mele stated that “With the exception of 1 Local Government Area which is currently occupied by the Army, all 26 Local Government Areas have returned to normalcy. On behalf of all the 27 LGAs, I want to thank the Chairman of the VSF for visiting all the LGAs to get the needs assessment of all of them and promptly swung into action by empowering women, farmers and teachers as well as construction and reconstructions of classrooms in all the sectors”.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Brigade Commander, 28 Taskforce Brigade, Chibok, Brig Gen Bng Martins appreciated the VSF for supporting the Nigerian Police Force in Askira especially because their presence is most required to stabilize the environment.

Representing the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police commended the VSF for the efforts put into the construction of the police station, police barracks and now, the fence. He appealed to other philanthropist organization and financially empowered individuals to assist the force and not leave it to only the VSF in his remark.

Victims Support Fund has been active in Borno State for several years, during which it has provided funding for projects in the state’s health, water, agriculture, energy, education, rehabilitation, housing, human development and financial sectors.