Gombe
“If You See Something, Say Something”: Inuwa Yahaya Launches Anti-Terror Campaign in Gombe
“If You See Something, Say Something”: Inuwa Yahaya Launches Anti-Terror Campaign in Gombe
By Auwal Ahmad
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has urged residents of Gombe State to take an active role in the fight against terrorism and other forms of criminality, saying security is a shared responsibility that requires the cooperation of every citizen.
The governor appealed Monday during a statewide broadcast to launch the “Unite Against Terror” campaign, a public awareness initiative aimed at strengthening community vigilance and supporting ongoing efforts to combat insecurity.
Gov Yahaya described insecurity as the greatest obstacle to sustainable development in Northern Nigeria, stressing that peace and economic progress are inseparable.
“Without security, there can be no development, and without development, there can be no lasting peace,” the governor said.
He commended members of the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies for their sacrifices in protecting lives and property.
He also paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty, describing them as heroes whose sacrifices would never be forgotten.
The governor said Gombe’s relative peace, despite being located in Nigeria’s insurgency-prone northeast, was the result of deliberate investments in security and sustained collaboration among the government, security agencies, and local communities.
He highlighted several initiatives introduced by his administration since 2019, including the establishment of the Ministry of Internal Security and Internal Affairs, the creation of the Gombe State Security, Traffic and Environmental Corps (GOSTEC), and Operation Hattara, a joint security outfit established to improve operational coordination.
According to him, the state government has also equipped security agencies with operational vehicles and logistics, strengthened local vigilante groups, and established peace committees to prevent communal and farmer-herder conflicts.
Alh. Yahaya noted that the two security summits organised by his administration produced recommendations that improved intelligence gathering, enhanced emergency responses, and reinforced community participation in maintaining peace.
As Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, the governor said he had championed regional cooperation to address insecurity, including efforts to establish the Northern States Security Trust Fund.
“No state can tackle insecurity alone because criminals do not recognise state boundaries. We must continue to share intelligence and coordinate our responses,” he said.
The governor praised traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups, and women’s groups for supporting peacebuilding efforts across the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to security agencies.
“If you see something, say something. Timely and credible information remains one of the most effective tools in preventing crime and protecting lives and property,” he said.
Gov. Yahaya also urged security agencies to adopt modern technologies, intelligence-driven operations, and community-based policing while respecting human rights.
The governor called for unity across ethnic, religious, and political divides. He warned that terrorist groups and criminal organisations often exploit social divisions to advance their activities.
He expressed support for the federal government’s ongoing efforts to combat insecurity under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and urged Gombe residents to cooperate fully with security agencies.
He concluded by calling on citizens to embrace the “Unite Against Terror” campaign, saying lasting peace can only be achieved through collective vigilance, unity and public participation.
“We must stand together against terrorism and every form of criminality to protect our communities and preserve the peace we have worked so hard to achieve,” he said.
