Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has called on residents of Gombe State to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements, saying the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities requires the active participation of every citizen.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has called on residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies, stressing that defeating terrorism, banditry and other forms of criminality requires collective action. He made the appeal during the launch of the “Unite Against Terror” campaign in Gombe State.
The governor said peace, unity and community vigilance remain critical in confronting insecurity, urging residents to reject violence, hate and division.
According to Yahaya, criminals and terrorists thrive where communities are divided but struggle where citizens remain united and alert. He also emphasized that security and development are closely linked, noting that sustainable development cannot be achieved without lasting peace.
Yahaya highlighted measures introduced by his administration to strengthen security, including the establishment of the Ministry of Internal Security and Internal Affairs, the Gombe State Security, Traffic and Environmental Corps (GOSTEC), Operation Hattara, and community peace committees aimed at improving intelligence gathering and rapid response.
He further noted that, as Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, he has championed regional collaboration through the proposed Northern States Security Trust Fund to address shared security challenges.
The governor urged residents to embrace the “Unite Against Terror” campaign by remaining vigilant and promptly reporting suspicious movements or activities to security agencies.
He also commended traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youth groups and civil society organisations for their contributions to peace-building and community surveillance, describing them as key partners in maintaining security across the state.
Yahaya maintained that preserving Gombe’s peace requires sustained cooperation among government, security agencies and residents, urging citizens not to take the state’s stability for granted as efforts continue to combat terrorism and other criminal activities.