Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has described insecurity as the greatest obstacle to peace and development in Northern Nigeria, urging citizens to work closely with security agencies to combat terrorism and other criminal activities.
Speaking during a statewide broadcast to launch the “Unite Against Terror” campaign on Monday, the governor emphasized that ensuring security is a collective responsibility that requires the active participation of both government and the public.
He encouraged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements, unusual gatherings or any activities capable of threatening the peace and safety of their communities.
According to Yahaya, lasting development cannot be achieved without a secure environment, stressing that insecurity continues to undermine economic growth and social progress across the region.
The governor also praised the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for their commitment to protecting the country, paying tribute to personnel who lost their lives while carrying out their duties.
He called on security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering by combining modern technology with information from local communities while ensuring that operations are conducted with respect for human rights.
Yahaya further appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, women organizations and civil society groups to unite in promoting peace, noting that terrorists often exploit divisions within communities but struggle where citizens remain united and vigilant.
He reaffirmed his support for the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to tackle terrorism and urged residents to cooperate fully with security agencies.
In a related development, the governor also inaugurated the newly elected chairpersons of Gombe State’s 11 local government areas and 13 local council development areas (LCDAs), describing effective local governance as an important tool for improving security and accelerating grassroots development.
He commended the peaceful conduct of the June 27 local government elections, saying the exercise demonstrated growing public confidence in the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yahaya defended the establishment of the 13 LCDAs, stating that the initiative was designed to bring government services closer to the people rather than expand bureaucracy. He added that the new council headquarters have been completed and administrative preparations finalised for their operations.
The governor also highlighted improvements in local government finances under his administration, saying councils that previously struggled to meet salary obligations are now financially stable due to improved fiscal discipline and transparency.
He urged the newly sworn-in council leaders to remain accountable, prioritize public service and ensure that every decision reflects the interests of the people.
Speaking on behalf of the new chairpersons, the Chairman of Gombe Local Government Area, Abdullahi Bappa, thanked the governor for his support and pledged that the council leaders would deliver on their responsibilities.
