NEWS: Boko Haram: Adamawa To Design A New Security Architecture

By MOHAMMED ISMAIL, Yola


In a move to address the lingering security issues in Adamawa state, Adamawa state government was poised to redesign its security architecture so as to prevent further attacks on innocent people.

To this end, the state government said it would address all issues leading to escalation of crime and criminality.

In a Press Statement signed by the Adamawa State Commissioner for Information Mallam Ahmad Sajoh sequel to an emergency security committee meeting, it was disclosed that part of the strategies to be deployed involved addressing drug abuse, and launching rigorous enlightenment campaigns across the state.

"The meeting therefore resolved to step-up Public Enlightenment in the state using conventional media as well as traditional media such as public address vans, town criers, posters, handbills in addition to the use of radio and television Jingles," the statement noted.

According to the statement, far reaching security measures were adopted during the meeting which was attended by notable people including His Royal Highness the Lamido Adamawa Dr. Muhammad Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha, all head of security agencies in Yola, Chairman Adamawa State House of Assembly Committee on Security, the Attorney-General of the State, the Chief of Staff to the Governor.

"At the end of the meeting, it was resolved that an expanded security committee involving Service Commanders, Traditional Rulers and Religious Leaders will be convened by the Governor to re-design a new Security Architecture for the state.

"This is to be a matter of urgency so as to actualize community policing, increased vigilance, intensified prayer sessions and Public Enlightenment. The Commissioner for Information is to equally convene a meeting of all Media Executives and other stakeholders including NOA," the statement said.

According to the statement, Governor Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla called on communities in Adamawa state to embrace community policing as a panacea to bomb attacks on innocent people.

"the security situation in the state was reviewed taking note of attacks on isolated communities in Madagali Local Government Area as well as the Jambutu Bombing.

" It was observed that these desperate acts of cowardly attacks on soft targets are as a result of the fact that the insurgents have been degraded as a fighting force and have also been smoked out of their hiding places.

"One very important outcome of the meeting was the decision to engage traditional rulers, at all levels in the state in the process of community policing. Traditional Rulers were to support Government and the Security Agencies in public enlightenment, monitoring movements, identifying strange persons and coordinating the activities of local vigilantes and hunters within communities.

"Security alertness was considered paramount and that the public should be encouraged to partner with security forces in mounting vigorous vigilance in all communities in Adamawa State," the statement concluded.