Insecurity: Gombe State Governor Seeks Deployment Of More Personnel From NSCDC
The Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Yahaya has called for the deployment of more personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC to the state, specifically those in the Agro Rangers Unit and general duty operatives.
This is to improve security in schools as well as ensure the general security of lives and property in Gombe State.
Governor Yahaya stated this while addressing the NSCDC Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi, and other top members of the management team at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.
According to him, “Gombe shares a border with five states most of whom have suffered crises, thus, making his state relatively populated with incidences of clashes between farmers and herders especially when there is massive migration by the latter.”
The Governor expressed hope that the presence of Agro Rangers personnel that were specifically trained to attend to such complex issues of farmers and herders conflict would save the state from such menace towards the end of October as the rains cease.
“The demand for additional deployment of Agro Rangers personnel before October ends is to avert incidences of clashes as the movement of cattle rearers usually begins at that period and the personnel would be of immense benefits to control clashes and mediate conflict if any,” the Governor explained.
Further on the deployment, he expressed optimism that if the security of lives and property was achieved, it would result in food security.
The Governor decried the high rate of out-of-school children especially children which he attributed to the closure of almost all boarding schools for girls in the state except one.
Governor Yahaya further solicited the assistance of the Corps to reverse the situation by ensuring a safe and secure environment for learning, describing the NSCDC as a serious stakeholder in security.
He also promised as Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum to create an opportunity for the Commandant General to address them on security issues whenever the Governors convene a meeting.
Responding, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Ahmed Audi assured the Governor of his agency’s cooperation and collaboration, stating that his request would be attended to upon the completion of the ongoing quarterly training of Agro Rangers personnel.
He explained that the Agro Rangers Unit has resolved more than 1,000 cases nationwide, stressing that as a special unit, Agro Rangers provide security for farmers and agro-allied investments.
On the protection of schools, Dr Audi explained that as a lead agency in the protection of critical national assets and Infrastructure, Civil Defence administration would respond to the protection of schools in Gombe State under the Safe Schools Project whose Headquarters is housed by the Corps.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
