From Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
The Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Yobe State Governor, Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam, has stressed that security forces cannot effectively eliminate terrorists and other criminals without the active support and cooperation of local communities.
Abdulsalam stated this in an interview with our correspondent in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.
He said the security situation in Yobe State was currently relatively stable, apart from a few attacks by Boko Haram terrorists in parts of Bursari, Geidam, Yunusari and Gujba, which he said were successfully foiled by the military and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
According to him, Yobe State shares a very wide border with the Niger Republic, a situation which, he said, facilitates the movement and activities of terrorists.
He therefore urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious movements and activities in their communities.
The Special Adviser commended communities across the state that have been supporting the military, police and other security agencies by providing useful information on the movements and activities of terrorists.
Abdulsalam also assured the people of Yobe State that future elections would be conducted peacefully, saying adequate security arrangements had been put in place to protect voters and other stakeholders.
He said special arrangements would be made for people whose polling units are in areas affected by insurgency, including Yunusari, Bursari, Tarmuwa, Geidam and Gujba, whenever elections are held.
He urged residents not to be afraid, assuring them that the state government was committed to protecting their lives and property.
“I assure you that Governor Mai Mala Buni, who is the Chief Security Officer of the state, has made adequate provisions for the protection of the people, with the support of God and the security forces in the state,” he said.
