Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State said the state’s first peace and security summit was convened to examine ways of combating emerging security threats, to pave way for good governance.
Yahaya said this while closing the three-day summit on Thursday in Gombe, which had the theme, “Mitigating Contemporary Security Challenges for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development.”
He said the summit was to generate ideas from stakeholders to sustain the prevailing peace in the state
Yahaya said the government had taken proactive measures since 2020 to mitigate security threats and ensure that the state remained peaceful.
The Governor, however, said the prevailing security threats in some states of the Northeast zone, has made it imperative for Gombe state to strengthen measures to ward off any security challenges.
He said that with 24 cases of kidnapping recorded in 2020 and 49 in 2021, the state must act to combat such threats.
Yahaya added that the recurring security challenges in the country also made it necessary for the state to enhance its security preparedness and plans.
He said Nigeria had lived with insurgency and banditry for about 12 years, as such Gombe state must work hard to avoid it and protect its people, for peace and progress to thrive.
Yahaya assured that the government would do its best to implement all recommendations from the summit in the interest of peace and security in the state.
He urged all stakeholders to continue to support the efforts of government and security agencies, to enhance peaceful co-existence.
He called on the youths to be law abiding as the 2023 general election approaches.
The Governor said that the youths have a responsibility to know that law, peace and order were needed ingredients for politics and good governance.
On his part, retired AIG Zubairu Mu’azu, co-convener of the summit, while reading the 22-point communiqué, commended the Governor for supporting the summit.
Mu’azu said that apart from the police and other law enforcement agencies, the people also have a huge responsibility in preventing and controlling crime.
He added that meaningful partnerships built on trust and confidence between law enforcement agencies and communities would help to prevent and control crimes and ensure effective security management.
Mu’azu said that one of the recommendations from the summit was for the government to organise town hall meetings to discuss issues of illicit drug flow and thuggery in the state.
According to him, the meeting also recommended ways of averting violence before, during and after the 2023 general elections.
He said that the stakeholders advised the government to confer on religious leaders, advisory role on security, to help mitigate threats and foster religious tolerance.