The Yobe State Government has vowed to redouble efforts to tackle renewed attacks by Boko Haram insurgents and the imposition of illegal taxes on farmers in parts of the state.
Deputy Governor Idi Barde Gubana stated this during the 18th Security Council Meeting held at the Government House, Damaturu, on Wednesday.
Gubana, who represented Governor Mai Mala Buni, said the emergency security meeting was convened following recent attacks on military formations across the state, describing the incidents as a threat to peace and stability.
He expressed concern over the activities of insurgents in Yunusari, Geidam and Tarmuwa local government areas, where residents and farmers were allegedly forced to pay levies and taxes.
“You may recall that in recent days there have been several attacks on our army formations, as well as the levies and taxes being forced on our people in Yunusari, Geidam and Tarmuwa local government areas and other parts of the state,” he said.
The deputy governor said the meeting would also address other security challenges, including farmer-herder clashes, housebreaking and related criminal activities affecting peaceful coexistence in the state.
“We are here to discuss how to ensure that we contain these criminalities among our people, because the main policy of our government is the protection of lives and property,” he said.
Gubana noted that although the state had enjoyed a period of relative peace, recent developments required security agencies and stakeholders to intensify efforts against criminality.
“We have experienced a little peace, but with the recent occurrences we have to tighten our belts to ensure that we contain all forms of criminality in our society,” he added.
He also sympathised with the families of soldiers and police officers killed during the recent attack on the Northeast Theatre Training School in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area.
“The Yobe State Government extends its sympathy to the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector-General of Police over the loss of lives of security personnel during the attack,” he said.
Daily Trust gathered that suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked the Northeast Theatre Training Centre in Buni Yadi on Friday, killing at least 36 soldiers and Mobile Police officers.
The victims were reportedly personnel deployed from Lagos for training at the facility when the insurgents attacked the centre.
Speaking with journalists after the closed-door meeting, the state Commissioner of Police, Usman Kamfani Jibrin, said security agencies would intensify surveillance and patrols to curb homicide, drug abuse, farmer-herder clashes and other criminal activities.
He appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible information to sustain the relative peace in the state.