The Gombe State Government has announced a raft of stringent security measures, including an immediate ban on scrap metal trading, compulsory profiling of new tenants, and the establishment of an enforcement committee on grazing reserves and cattle routes, in a bid to enhance public safety across the state.
The decisions were reached at an expanded meeting of the State Security Council presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and were disclosed to journalists by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Zubair Muhammad Umar, shortly after the meeting.
Barrister Umar said the council approved the immediate ban on the scrap metal business, popularly known as Bola Jari, in response to increasing cases of vandalism of public infrastructure and other criminal activities linked to the trade.
He explained that the council was particularly concerned about the persistent destruction of school facilities and other public assets, many of which are allegedly sold to scrap metal dealers. According to him, the scrap trade operates without a coordinated structure, recognised leadership or effective regulatory framework, making it difficult for security agencies to monitor.
“In view of these developments, the council has, with immediate effect, banned all Bola Jari activities across the state. The ban will remain until the operators properly organise themselves under a recognised leadership, after which government will designate a controlled operating centre under strict security supervision,” he said.
As part of efforts to address emerging security threats, the Attorney-General also disclosed that the council resolved to intensify surveillance of persons relocating into the state. He said individuals seeking to rent accommodation or reside in Gombe State would henceforth undergo mandatory profiling.
“Anyone coming into Gombe State to reside or rent accommodation must have their personal information properly documented. This will strengthen intelligence gathering and enable security agencies to verify individuals whenever the need arises,” Umar stated.
On farmer-herder conflicts, he announced the constitution of an enforcement committee to implement the White Paper on Grazing Reserves and Cattle Routes, which followed the report of an earlier committee chaired by a retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Zubairu Muazu (rtd).
He said the enforcement committee has been mandated to reclaim all gazetted grazing reserves and cattle routes that have been encroached upon across the state.
“The committee will ensure that every inch of gazetted grazing reserves and cattle routes is fully reclaimed in line with government policy,” he added.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police in Gombe State, Umar Ahmad Chuso, said security agencies had intensified operations following recent cases of abductions and killings in Pindiga, Akko Local Government Area.
Describing the incidents as unfortunate, the police commissioner assured residents that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted victims, apprehend those responsible and prevent a recurrence.
“The police, in collaboration with other security agencies, are tracking the perpetrators and working to ensure the safe rescue of the abductees. His Excellency has directed that a report be submitted on the investigations, and anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law,” Chuso said.
In his remarks, the Emir of Yamaltu, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, said the Security Council also resolved to strengthen security at the grassroots through the deployment of vigilante groups and local hunters to complement conventional security agencies.
According to him, the initiative would enhance community-level surveillance and ensure quicker response to security threats.
The council further directed local government chairmen and traditional rulers to hold weekly security review meetings at the local level to assess developments and take proactive measures to safeguard lives and property across Gombe State.