Bauchi raises security alert after insurgents’ attack on Yobe

The Bauchi government has announced plans to intensify security measures across the state, following a recent attack by insurgents in Yobe.

Sabiu Baba, secretary to the Bauchi government who disclosed this on Monday, said the state is concerned about the recent attack in Yobe, as well as the large presence of internally displaced persons in Zaki, Dambam, Darazo, and Gamawa LGAs.

The four LGAs share border with Geidam in neighbouring Yobe state, where insurgents recently launched attacks that left many people displaced.

Baba also said there had been a recent attack by “criminal elements” on a telecommunications mast belonging to the Mobile Telecommunication Network in Gamawa, but added persons involved had been arrested.

He, however, noted that there will be significant improvement on efforts to secure the state.

“There was an emergency security council meeting of Bauchi state this afternoon, and the meeting was to look into the attack by Boko Haram in Geidam and the takeover of that town and the implications for Bauchi state,” he said.

“Bauchi state shares border with Yobe state in four local government areas of Zaki, Dambam, Darazo, and Gamawa.

“The implications of what has happened in Geidam is that there is a lot of influx of people moving into Bauchi state from Yobe.

“Of course, that will put a lot of strain on our facilities and resources, and considering the kind of movement out of Boko Haram activities, the security implications there are also very high.”

While noting that the meeting on Monday was to discuss the implications, and how to contain the insurgents from the Bauchi side, he added that security agencies will embark on a joint patrol of the communities at the border areas.

“It will be expected that we will continue to profile whoever is coming into the state. I can tell you that some people coming into the state come in with weapons, and it is the profiling that will help us stem that kind of problem,” he said.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated in view of a clarification by the Bauchi government. The state explained that insurgents have not invaded communities, but that the government is taking additional security measures following a recent attack by insurgents in Yobe.