Gov. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has received the 2026 Nigeria’s Most Secure State Excellence Award in recognition of his administration’s achievements in security management, crime prevention and public safety.
The award was presented by People’s Security Monitor during its 2026 Annual Security Conference and Award Ceremony held in Abuja.
According to the organisers, the award recognises the governor’s commitment to strengthening intelligence-driven security operations, promoting peaceful coexistence and creating a stable environment for governance, economic growth and investment in the state.
The conference was endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs and the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
Gov. Yahaya, who was represented at the event by the Director-General of the Federal Government Bureau and Abuja Liaison Office, Dr. Jamilu Jafaru, received the award on behalf of the state government.
The event featured the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, as Chief Guest Speaker, represented by a delegate.
The ceremony attracted government officials, security chiefs, traditional rulers, policy experts and other stakeholders from across the country.
In addition to the award, Gov. Yahaya was honoured as the Chief Presenter of a book titled The Defender of the Nation: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Three-Year Onslaught Against Insecurity, His Tough Decisions, Sacrifices and Gains.
The 21-chapter publication, authored by Chief Isiaka Mustapha, examined Nigeria’s security challenges, counter-insurgency efforts and the role of inter-agency collaboration in addressing insecurity.
Delivering the governor’s keynote address, Jafaru highlighted four strategic pillars guiding the state’s security agenda.
He listed the pillars as strengthening inter-agency and community collaboration, institutionalising the rule of law and respect for human rights, investing in technology-driven security initiatives and logistical support for security agencies, and ensuring transparency and accountability in security funding.
“Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya is continuously strengthening collaboration between formal security agencies and community-based structures to safeguard lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure,” Jafaru said.
He added that Gombe had consistently ranked as the safest and most peaceful state in the North-East and among the most peaceful states in the country.
“This security ranking is neither accidental nor a matter of chance. It is the direct result of deliberate, proactive and data-driven governance under the leadership of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya,” he said.
According to him, despite the complex security challenges in the region, Gombe has remained an oasis of peace and stability.
He noted that the development demonstrated that sustainable peace could be achieved when political will aligns with federal security frameworks and professional expertise.
Jafaru reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working closely with the Federal Government and security institutions to promote peace, unity and national development.
