By our Correspondent
The first Gombe State Peace and Security Summit ended yesterday with a call on the state government to sustain ongoing security and peace initiatives across the state.
The summit which held in Gombe between 9 and 11 August 2022, extensively discussed all security issues affecting Gombe State during the past three days and agreed to back the initiatives of the state government.
The summit included representatives of various organizations, community leaders, strategic stakeholders and resource persons drawn across the state and parts of the country.
A communique at end of the summit signed by AIG Zubairu H. Muazu, mni (rtd), Ubandoman Gombe and Co-convener and Chairman of the LOC noted that the Summit arrived at conclusions which include among others, that:
“The Summit strongly commends the Government of Gombe State under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for convening this important summit at this crucial moment of our nation’s history.
” The Summit resolves that the various initiatives of the Gombe State Government such as the establishment of Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Boltongo, the creation of GOSTEC are timely and commendable steps that could help further strengthen the current security arrangements in the state. ”
The summit also applauded the government’s zero tolerance approach to the issue of political thuggery and other social vices (perpetrated by the dreaded Yan Kalare thugs) which culminated into the launching on Tuesday of the security initiative code named “Operation Hattara.
The communique added that the summit called on the operation to take advantage of the findings and resolutions of the summit especially in terms of compliance with law and order.
“The Summit applauds the functional cooperation and collaboration between the State Government and all Federal Security Agencies in the State while recommending that this cordial relationship needs to be maintained, deepened and strengthened.
” The summit commends the governors of Bauchi, Adamawa and Yobe States who despite the short notice sent their special advisers to participate in and contribute to the successful conduct of the summit.
” The Summit observed that national and global challenges such as the climate change, economic recession, the Covid-19 pandemic contribute to insecurity and instability. There is, therefore, the need for governments and security agencies to develop a proactive security strategy for predicting and mitigating the security consequences of such events.
“The Summit notes that while the present security situation in the state is relatively stable and calm, there are sporadic events of real security concern which need to be nipped in the bud before they escalate to constitute significant security threats. These challenges include cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, political thuggery and gang violence, communal disputes and conflicts, ” the communique said.
It added that good governance remains an important precondition for security and stability, thus, promoting accountability, transparency and effective public administration will go a long way in enhancing the relative peace and security of the state.
It said under the present democratic system, the police and other law enforcement agencies are not the sole protectors of law and order. All members of the community are active partners in the collective efforts to prevent and control crime.
The summit recommends partnerships between law enforcement agencies and communities, as well as within members of the community to ensuring that crimes are prevented and/or controlled is necessary to any effective security management.
“This can be fostered through the establishment of local security advisory committees across the state to support security agencies in mitigating security challenges,” it said.
The Summit recognised that Gombe State is one of the most tolerant and socially cohesive states in the country.
“The Summit recommends that the present efforts of the state government and security agencies to prevent farmer-herders clashes and to peacefully resolve all disputes over farmlands and grazing lands should be maintained, funded and strengthened.
” The summit strongly recommends that, without further delay, a sub-regional security summit of this nature should be convened under the auspices of the North-East Governors Forum to consolidate on the gains and achievements of this summit,” the communique said.
