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Gov. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has launched the “Unite Against Terror” campaign, calling for stronger regional collaboration, national unity and active citizen participation to combat terrorism and other security threats.
Yahaya, who is also Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), made the call in a statewide broadcast on Monday, describing insecurity as the greatest threat to the stability and development of Northern Nigeria.
He said security and development were inseparable, stressing that lasting peace could only be achieved through collective action.
The governor urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence on suspicious activities.
According to him, information from members of the public remains critical to preventing attacks and protecting lives and property.
Yahaya commended the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies for their commitment and sacrifices in safeguarding the nation.
He also paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Speaking in his capacity as Chairman of the NSGF, Yahaya said terrorism could not be defeated through isolated efforts, noting that porous borders continued to enable criminal elements to move freely across states.
He disclosed that the forum was championing the establishment of a Northern States Security Trust Fund to strengthen regional security financing and improve coordinated responses to common threats.
The governor also acknowledged the roles of traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, women and youth groups as key partners in promoting peace and preventing conflict.
He urged security agencies to adopt technology, intelligence-driven operations and community engagement while maintaining professionalism and respect for human rights.
Yahaya reaffirmed his administration’s support for the Federal Government’s efforts to eliminate terrorism and violent extremism, calling on citizens to reject violence, intolerance and division in favour of peace, unity and mutual respect.
He urged residents to embrace the “Unite Against Terror” campaign, saying only a united and vigilant society could defeat terrorism, protect communities and sustain development.
The governor attributed Gombe’s relative peace and stability to deliberate investments and reforms introduced by his administration since 2019 to strengthen the state’s security architecture.
He listed the establishment of the Ministry of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation, the creation of the Gombe State Security, Traffic and Environmental Corps (GOSTEC), and the formation of Operation Hattara, a joint security task force, among key initiatives that had enhanced security coordination.
Yahaya also highlighted the strengthening of local vigilante groups, provision of operational vehicles and logistics to security agencies, establishment of community peace committees and the hosting of two security summits as measures that had improved intelligence gathering, conflict prevention and emergency response across the state.
