Protests: Gombe governor holds expanded security council meeting 

In response to the violent protest that erupted on August 1, 2024, Gombe state governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Tuesday presided over an emergency expanded security meeting to review the situation and develop a coordinated strategy to prevent further occurrence. 

The high-level meeting which brought together heads of security agencies, relevant commissioners, local government chairmen and traditional rulers, focused on reviewing the security situation in the aftermath of the protests as well as various measures to prevent future occurrences and to ensure the safety of residents across the state.

Addressing the press after the meeting, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, alongside the Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Usman and heads of other security agencies, provided details of the deliberations. 

The SSG said: “The government recognises 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. We acknowledge that security is everybody’s business and therefore, urge members of the public to remain supportive of the government and the security agencies in ensuring security of lives and property.

“As part of renewed efforts to address the hardships, 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,” the SSG stated. 

In response to the public concerns about the activities of the scrap materials merchants, popularly known as Bola-Jari, the SSG said Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Zubair Muhammad Umar, to work out operational modalities to regulate their activities in the state.