Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has called on residents of the state to remain united and vigilant in the face of terrorism and other forms of criminality.
In a statewide broadcast to launch the ‘Unite Against Terror’ campaign, Governor Yahaya declared that insecurity remains the greatest threat to the stability and development of Northern Nigeria.
The governor stressed the inseparable link between security and development, insisting that neither can be achieved without the other.
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“Without security, there can be no development, and without development, there can be no lasting peace. These two pillars are inseparable, and they must be pursued with equal vigour if we are to build the future our people deserve,” he said.
Governor Yahaya, who also chairs the Northern States Governors’ Forum, paid tribute to the nation’s security agencies, including the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), commending their sacrifices in the face of grave danger.
“We salute your courage and pay special tribute to those who have paid the ultimate price in the line of duty. We owe them and their families a debt of gratitude that we can never fully repay,” he said.
The governor noted that although Gombe lies within the North-East, a region affected by insecurity, the state has remained relatively peaceful. He attributed this achievement not to chance but to deliberate policies and strategic investments implemented since he assumed office in 2019.
Governor Yahaya highlighted the creation of the state’s first Ministry of Internal Security and Internal Affairs; the establishment of the Gombe State Security, Traffic and Environmental Corps (GOSTEC); and the launch of Operation Hattara, a joint inter-agency security outfit that has significantly improved coordination and response times.
He added that local vigilante groups had been strengthened through the provision of operational vehicles and logistics to security agencies, while local peace committees had been established to address farmer-herder and communal conflicts before they escalate.
“We have also held two security summits, bringing together security leaders, traditional rulers and experts. Many of their recommendations have informed our strategies and yielded tangible results. These achievements have contributed to Gombe State being rated as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria,” he said.
As Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Governor Yahaya disclosed that he had led regional efforts towards establishing a Northern States Security Trust Fund, arguing that porous borders mean no state can tackle insecurity in isolation.
“We must work together, share intelligence and coordinate our responses collectively,” he urged.
The governor acknowledged the vital role of traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, women’s groups and youth organisations in promoting peace, describing them as the “eyes and ears” of their communities.
He reminded residents that “security is everyone’s responsibility. The government and security agencies cannot do it alone.”
Governor Yahaya therefore called on every resident to remain security conscious and promptly report any suspicious movement or unusual gathering to the appropriate authorities.
“Timely and credible information remains one of the most effective tools for preventing crime and protecting lives and property,” he said.
