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Stakeholders from Taraba State’s Northern Zone have called for grassroots-driven approaches to tackle security challenges confronting communities across the state.
The call was made on Tuesday at a Security Consultative Summit held at the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo, with the theme: “Listening to the Communities, Securing the Homeland: Building Taraba’s Security Solutions from the Grassroots.”
Speaking at the summit, the Chairman of the Zonal Security Summit and Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena, said the initiative was aimed at engaging directly with communities to obtain firsthand information on security concerns affecting residents.
Bonzena said many security threats often stem from minor disputes and grievances that escalate when left unresolved.
According to him, the consultative summit provides a platform for citizens to contribute ideas and recommendations that would assist government in developing sustainable security strategies across the state.
He stressed that security remained a collective responsibility and urged residents to support security agencies with timely and credible information to prevent crime and maintain peace.
The Speaker disclosed that the summit was part of preparations for the Taraba State Security Conference scheduled to hold next month.
He described the forthcoming conference as a major platform for assessing prevailing security concerns and developing practical solutions to address them.
In his remarks, Chairman of Jalingo Local Government Council, Hon. Nura Dantsoho, described insecurity as one of the most pressing challenges facing the country, particularly Northern Nigeria.
He commended Governor Agbu Kefas for his commitment to improving security and for creating a platform that enables citizens to participate in shaping policies affecting their safety and well-being.
Dantsoho expressed optimism that recommendations from the summit would contribute significantly to achieving lasting peace and security across Taraba State.
The summit attracted top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government and the Head of Civil Service, as well as representatives of security agencies such as the Police, Army, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Customs Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Taraba Marshals, Forest Guards and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.
Participants emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between communities and security agencies to effectively address emerging security threats and sustain peace across the state.
