Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has declared open the second edition of the Gombe State Security Summit on Tuesday at the International Conference Center (ICC), Gombe, aimed at addressing security challenges through collective action.
The two-day summit, themed “Building a Safer and More Secure Gombe State: Addressing Insecurity through Collective Action,” gathered key stakeholders to discuss strategies for combating insecurity in the state and the North-East region.
In his address, Governor Yahaya reiterated his administration’s commitment to leveraging insights from the summit to formulate a sustainable security blueprint. He emphasized that security remains a top priority, noting that Gombe, despite being relatively peaceful, faces challenges such as farmer-herder conflicts, communal clashes, cattle rustling, banditry, and kidnapping.
“To address these issues comprehensively, we must embrace collective action, requiring the cooperation of stakeholders at all levels: security agencies, traditional and community leaders, religious leaders, civil society organizations, the media, and the private sector,” the governor stated.
He highlighted the need to tackle the root causes of insecurity by addressing youth unemployment and drug abuse, stressing the importance of equipping young people with education, skills, and opportunities.
Governor Yahaya also commended President Bola Tinubu for his administration’s efforts in combating insurgency, banditry, and crime nationwide. He expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, for his contributions to Nigeria’s security.
As part of the summit, the governor announced the donation of 50 operational vehicles to various security agencies in the state to enhance their crime-fighting capabilities.
“This gesture is aimed at bolstering their capacity to combat crime, ensure peace, and maintain stability across our communities,” he said.
In a goodwill message, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Maj. Gen. Folusho Oyinlola, commended Governor Yahaya’s commitment to security, describing Gombe as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.
“This fact is not accidental but a result of deliberate effort through the implementation of people-centered policies that encourage stakeholder participation in securing lives and property,” he noted.
During the summit, Gen. Abdulrasheed Aliyu (rtd) delivered a presentation on “The Role of Technology and Intelligence in Combating Security Challenges,” while AIG Zubairu Mu’azu (rtd) spoke on “The Role of Community Policing in Enhancing Local Security: A Case Study of Northern Nigeria.”
Earlier, the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Col. Abdullahi Bello (rtd), described the summit as a major milestone in Governor Yahaya’s efforts to strengthen security in the state.
The event concluded with the unveiling of the 50 operational vehicles by Governor Yahaya and the symbolic presentation of keys to the benefiting security agencies.
