The Department of State Security (DSS) from the six North-eastern states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and on Wednesday met in Gombe to discuss on how uniformly tackle the security challenges bedevilling the sub-region.
The host and Gombe State Director of Security Service, Habu Rabiu Sambo, in his address said the conference which is the 16th meeting of the forum, provides a platform to fertilise ideas, share experience of best practices and forge partnership that will help them in ensuring the safety of the people.
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He added that it is crucial to acknowledge the grave security threats that continue to plaque the region, which he said is threatening peace, lives and well-being of its residents.
“The region has been plagued by violence and instability perpetrated by the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP), Boko Haram and other criminal elements.
“The impact of this insecurity is felt in every aspect of daily life, from access to basic services like healthcare and education, to the ability of communities to thrive and prosper,” he said.
Sambo added that the key priorities of the conference is to strengthen collaboration between security agencies and relevant stakeholders through information sharing, resources and expertise in order to develop a unified and effective strategy for improving security in the northeast sub-region.
Declaring the 16th conference open, Deputy Governor of Gombe state, Dr Manassah Daniel Jatau underscored the importance of the security architecture in the state, north east and Nigeria in protection of lives and properties.
He commended the directors of security services in the northeast for coming up with the initiative of the conference to brainstorm on challenges affecting the region, with a view to proffering lasting solutions to the security menace.
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Dr Jatau urged them to use the conference to review their performances in the past, highlight achievements and challenges, and point out areas that may need the intervention of the state government.
“As you consider new numerous emerging challenges that may occur different nature issue like minimum wage, increasing poverty and visible hunger in the land, flooding, cyber crime, ‘wild’ social media, criminal vehicle operators, in addition to your regular menu of banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, farmer/herders’ clashes, cattle rustling, all efforts must be done to identify the sources of undesirable activities,” he said.
The deputy governor called on them to make optimum use of the opportunity given to them in the conference to come up with lasting solutions that will mitigate the effects of insecurity in the sub-region.
“By the end of your conference, your decisions, resolutions, recommendations and actions should manifest your organisation as relevant, responsive, receptive, resilient and adaptive which are the features of modern effective organisations. Be assured of the support of the government as your organisation and indeed other Law Enforcement Agents carry out the mandate of ensuring security in the state.
“I wish to commend this very cordial working relationship that exist among all the Law Enforcement Agents in the state. Please keep it up, as we have seen the excellent results” Jatau added.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi congratulated the Directors DSS in the North East for hosting the conference towards surmounting challenges in the region.
He said the contributions of the security in the form of commitment and sacrifices being made in the course of protection of lives and properties of the people is immensely notable, pledging that the Gombe State government shall continue to support them to succeed.
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Goodwill messages came from the State Police Commissioner, Hayyatu Usman, Representative of the commander 301 Artillery Regiment, Lt.Col.Obi Ezekiel, the Representative of Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Mohammad Abubakar, (Sarkin Dokan Gombe) and the Secretary of the Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) Alhaji Saleh Danburam who applauded the initiative of the Heads of Security in the Northeast Subregion for initiating such a meeting to profer solution to the Zone’s security problems.
They Emphasised synergy amongst the security operatives in the region and the nation.
