Gombe governor: How we’ve maintained peace despite insecurity in north-east

Inuwa Yahaya, governor of Gombe, says his administration has taken effective measures to ensure peace in the state, despite the insecurity in the north-east region.

He stated this on Wednesday, after a meeting with Ibrahim Gambari, chief of staff to the president, at the presidential villa in Abuja.

The governor also noted that residents of the state are united in their determination to ensure peace in Gombe.

“We thank God for helping us as far as the issue of security is concerned. We are in the midst of the north-east and we are aware of the challenges in the frontline states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. So, we’ve tried as much as possible in order to live in peace and harmony,” he said.

“This is despite our differences — religious differences, social differences and other differences that normally cause friction among the people — and we have the understanding of our people.

“With the support of security agencies, we’ve been able to relate well and manage security in Gombe state. We are happy and by the grace of God, we shall try to sustain that going forward.

“A lot of families in Gombe are both Muslims and Christians and that relationship transcends current issues that are causing tension, and I think we have been able to manage the matter and people are cooperating and we will continue to do that.

“We have security management committees in place, comprising traditional rulers from the ward, to districts, emirates and chiefdoms, up to the state level. Therefore, we share information and manage whatever decision we take, and whenever there is an issue, we nip it in the bud without allowing it to get to an alarming level.”