Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has launched the “Unite Against Terror” campaign, declaring that the fight against terrorism requires a united national resolve, stronger regional cooperation and active citizen participation to secure lasting peace.
While addressing Gombe residents in a statewide broadcast, the governor warned that insecurity remains the greatest threat to the stability and development of Northern Nigeria, insisting that security and development are inseparable.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya urged residents to remain vigilant and work closely with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities, stressing that timely intelligence from citizens is crucial to preventing attacks and protecting lives and property.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya praised members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies for their courage and sacrifice in safeguarding the nation, paying tribute to personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Speaking as Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, he emphasized that terrorism cannot be defeated through isolated efforts, noting that porous borders continue to allow criminal elements to move freely across states.
He said the NSGF is driving the establishment of a Northern States Security Trust Fund to strengthen collective security financing and improve coordinated responses to common threats across the region.
The governor acknowledged the contributions of traditional rulers, religious leaders, community associations, civil society organisations, women and youth groups, describing them as indispensable partners in promoting peace and preventing conflict.
Calling on security agencies to remain proactive, Governor Inuwa Yahaya urged them to embrace technology, intelligence-driven operations and community engagement while upholding professionalism and respect for human rights.
He reiterated his commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to eliminate terrorism and violent extremism, urging citizens to reject violence, intolerance and division in favour of peace, unity and mutual respect.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya called on all residents to embrace the “Unite Against Terror” campaign, saying only a united and vigilant society can defeat terrorism, safeguard communities and sustain the peace and development achieved in Gombe State.
He pointed out that the relative peace and stability enjoyed by Gombe State is the outcome of deliberate investments and sustained reforms undertaken by his administration since 2019 to strengthen the state’s security architecture.
Among the measures taken were the establishment of the Ministry of Internal Security and Ethical Orientation, the creation of the Gombe State Security, Traffic and Environmental Corps (GOSTEC), and the formation of Operation Hattara, a joint security task force designed to improve inter-agency coordination and rapid response to security threats.
The governor also pointed to the strengthening of local vigilante groups, the provision of operational vehicles and logistics to security agencies, the establishment of community peace committees and the hosting of two security summits as critical interventions that have enhanced intelligence gathering, conflict prevention and emergency response across the state.