The Gombe State Government through its Expanded Security Council has met and taken various decisions to ensure maximum security of lives and property in the state.
Briefing journalists in Gombe on the various decisions reached, during the Expanded Security Council Meeting, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr. Julius Ishaya, said the council had regulated farming and grazing times to between 6 am to 6 pm to mitigate reoccurring farmers-herders clashes, especially during harvest.
Mr. Ishaya said the council had prohibited underaged herders from operating within the state, while migrating herders had been banned from entering the state until the end of January, 2022, saying the farming season has not been productive in some parts and as such the little gains made should be protected.
He said the moves would allow for peaceful co-existence and protect the state from the food crisis.
“Council also directed that farmers must work hard to get their harvest done as quick as possible and they are not allowed to fodder the remnant on their farms this is to ensure that after they are done with their harvest herders can come and benefit from it. Council also directed that migrating herders and their cattle are not allowed into Gombe State until after harvest which will last till the end of January 2022 this will ensure the state does not run into a food crisis.”
He said the council had resolved to sanction any unregistered motorcycle riders, Achaba, from operating by the end of October, and that tricycle operators without necessary registration would equally be sanctioned.
According to the Commissioner for Information, the government is worried about the lack of registration of some of the operators, noting that the declaration of the council is after due consultation with the leaders of the various unions.
“Government and the leaders of Okada, Keke (tricycle) unions have reached an agreement that the ongoing registration of okada, Keke ends by this October. The security operatives and agencies have been directed to sanction any defaulter. Any Keke, Okada operator who is not properly registered by the end of this October will be sanctioned by security operatives,” Mr. Ishaya said.
He equally said the council had banned night travels, stressing that a greater percentage of accidents that occurred at night, more because victims hardly get help at night.
“You may recall that the restrictions for movement were placed on the entire state as a result of Covid-19 from 10 pm to 5 am. So, therefore, the council directed and reviewed this restriction that henceforth, the restrictions of movement from within the state and into the state will be from 12 midnight to 5 am in the morning and the security agencies have been directed to ensure compliance of this directives,” Mr. Ishaya said.
He said the decision of the council was borne out of the need to improve security, discourage night travels for safety reasons.
