It was gathered that the state government had already carried out vulnerability assessments on schools to identify those that may be the primary targets of bandits and kidnappers.
As part of measures towards reducing the abduction of schoolchildren, the Gombe State Government has reportedly deployed local security personnel to all educational institutions within the state to complement the efforts of the police and other security agencies.
It was gathered that the state government had already carried out vulnerability assessments on schools to identify those that may be the primary targets of bandits and kidnappers, Vanguard reports.
This was disclosed by Governor Muhammad Yahaya when he was addressing journalists, after meeting with Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Yahaya pointed out that the collaboration among the state government, religious and community leaders and other stakeholders has helped in addressing the security challenges in the state.
Speaking on the efforts of the state to protect schools and students from attacks by kidnappers and bandits, the governor said: “We did a vulnerability assessment of all the schools and we assigned the local security personnel; vigilantes, to work with the conventional organised security in order to safeguard our schools against attacks.
“Above all, what we did for wider security is reflected in the schools and we concentrated our effort in building big schools that will contain greater numbers, to reduce the chances, such that wherever students or pupils are exposed to such risks, we brought them closer to the main security agencies, so as to have peace and tranquillity.
“That has succeeded in bringing peace to our schools so the schools and the wider society are safe in Gombe and we thank God for that.”
He noted that the government had taken proactive measures to safeguard the state from security threats.
According to him, the peculiar location of the state makes it vulnerable, however, he said security agencies have been working hard.
He said, “We are really located in the midst of the North-East because we share a boundary with all the other five states of the zone and as a result of that, even the effect of insurgency, Boko Haram and issues to do with farmer-herder clashes have caused some security challenges in Gombe in the past.
“But we have been proactive and we are following up day-by-day in all institutions affected, for example, the traditional rulers, community leaders, and the security agencies, trying to build a mutual understanding and good relationship between our people.
“I can say that compared to the rest, Gombe is relatively peaceful and we thank God for that; we are very appreciative of the cooperation and understanding of our people.”