In response to the violent protest that erupted on August 1, 2024, Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, convened an emergency expanded security meeting on Monday to review the situation and develop a coordinated strategy to prevent future occurrences.
The high-level meeting included heads of security agencies, relevant commissioners, local government chairmen, and traditional rulers. The primary focus was to assess the security situation following the protests and to implement measures to ensure the safety of residents across the state.
Addressing the press after the meeting, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, along with Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Usman, and other security agency heads, provided details of the deliberations.
“The government recognizes that the protest was primarily driven by the current economic hardship. We are deeply concerned about the welfare of our citizens and are committed to addressing these issues promptly. Security is everybody’s business, and we urge the public to support the government and security agencies in ensuring the safety of lives and property,” said the SSG.
Professor Njodi announced that the government plans to roll out another round of food palliatives to support vulnerable households across the state. This initiative, the 19th in the series, aims to provide immediate relief and ensure that no resident goes hungry during these trying times.
Regarding public concerns about the activities of scrap material merchants, popularly known as Bola-Jari, the SSG disclosed that Governor Yahaya has directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Zubair Muhammad Umar, to develop operational guidelines to regulate their activities in the state.
The council commended the security agencies for their prompt intervention in managing the situation and preventing further escalation. The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Usman, reiterated the commitment of the security agencies to maintaining law and order, assuring residents of their safety and urging the public to remain calm and peaceful.
“We are committed to ensuring the safety of lives and property. We urge all residents to cooperate with the authorities and refrain from actions that could lead to violence or disruption. Protests are acceptable as long as they follow the rules,” said the CP.
The CP also disclosed that several arrests have been made in connection with the looting of public and private properties during the protests, and several valuable items have been recovered. He urged those who lost property to report to the police headquarters to verify if their items are among those recovered for immediate handover.
