Boko Haram: Reps seek review of Victims Support Fund

The Federal government has been advised to review the modalities for the disbursement of the N50b Victims Support Fund (VSF) for transparent disbursement and judicious use of the funds.

The Federal government set up the fund in 2014 to cater for the needs of the victims of terrorism and other forms of violence across the country.

The VSF is managed by a Committee chaired by Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd).

The lawmakers also urged the Gen Danjuma (rtd)-led Committee to constantly publish on its website, the names and pictures of beneficiaries of the funds, indicating clearly the amount of assistance rendered while making available to Nigerians records of its activities in its secretariat or registry.

The decision of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion by Vilita Bashir (APC, Borno) and Kamale Adamu Dali Usman (APC, Adamawa), who noted that the Federal government released N5b as part of its contribution to the fund while many other individuals have also redeemed their pledges running into billions of Naira.

“We are aware that the committee has so far disbursed over N500m to victims of terrorism while the victims, especially those in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States are crying for assistance and dying in their hundreds without any form if assistance coming their way,” she said.

The motion was unanimously adopted after it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.