Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Inuwa Yahaya, has said Boko Haram insurgents have been weakened but not defeated, warning that the group continues to pose a threat to communities in the North-East.
Yahaya made the remarks at the 13th meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, Borno State, where he reviewed the region’s security situation and development challenges.
He said attacks by Boko Haram were still being recorded in some communities, while banditry and communal clashes had emerged as additional security threats.
The governor noted that insecurity remained a major obstacle to development, adding that many residents displaced by insurgency had yet to return to their communities because of lingering security concerns.
Yahaya called for stronger regional cooperation among the six North-East states to tackle insecurity, poverty, unemployment, drug abuse and other factors contributing to instability.
He also urged continued investment in infrastructure, education, healthcare, energy and economic development to improve living conditions and reduce vulnerabilities that could fuel insecurity.
The governor said the region had recorded progress in several areas since the establishment of the governors’ forum, but stressed that many of the challenges identified when the forum was created remained unresolved.
He urged the governors to strengthen accountability and ensure that decisions taken by the forum translated into tangible improvements for residents.
Recent attacks in Borno have also underscored the continued security threat, with suspected Boko Haram militants reportedly killing at least 15 farmers and firewood gatherers in Marte Local Government Area.
Leave a comment