Bandits’ threat forces Gombe governor to hold security meeting

Governor Inuwa Yahaya says Gombe’s first peace and security summit was convened to examine ways of combating emerging security threats, to pave the way for good governance.

Mr Yahaya stated this while closing a three-day summit on Thursday in Gombe, which had the theme ‘Mitigating Contemporary Security Challenges for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development’.

He said the summit was to generate ideas from stakeholders to sustain the prevailing peace in the state and his government had taken proactive measures since 2020 to mitigate security threats and ensure that the state remains peaceful.

Bandits and Boko Haram attacks are prevalent in the North.

The governor, however, said the prevailing security threats in states in the North-East, made it imperative for Gombe to strengthen measures to ward off any security challenges.

The Gombe governor noted that with 24 cases of kidnapping recorded in 2020 and 49 in 2021, the state must act to combat emerging threats.

Mr Yahaya added that the deterioration of insecurity in the  country also made it necessary for Gombe to enhance its security preparedness and plans.

According to him, Nigeria has lived with insurgency and banditry for about 12 years, as such Gombe must work hard to protect its people, for peace and progress to thrive.

Mr Yahaya urged all stakeholders to continue to support the efforts of the government and security agencies to enhance peaceful coexistence and called on the youth to be law-abiding as the 2023 general elections approach.

Co-convener of the security summit, retired AIG Zubairu Mu’azu, urged the people to be involved in preventing and dealing with crime.

He added that meaningful partnerships built on trust and confidence between law enforcement agencies and communities would help to tackle security challenges.

According to Mr Mu’azu, one of the recommendations from the summit is for the government to organise town hall meetings to discuss issues of illicit drugs flow and thuggery in Gombe.

(NAN)