The Gombe State has reiterated commitment to collaborate with the community leaders as a precautionary measure to guard against banditry, abduction and other security challenges.
Mr.Dauda Batari, the Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Ethical Orientations, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Friday.
Batari said the synergy is anticipatory actions in order to be safe against banditry, abductions, address farmers-herdsmen conflict as well as communal clashes.
“This is because banditry is on the increase in some parts of the north and we need to involve the traditional leaders as a precautionary measure so that they can volunteer information to security agencies,” he said.
Batari expressed concern over the spate of drug and substance abuse in the state, adding that effective measures were put in place to address the menace.
“Unfortunately, Gombe State was rated to the third position in terms of drug and substance consumption.
“We will not relent in our fight against the consumption of drug and substance because the future of our young generation is at stake and we will not compromise,” he added.
Batari noted that drug abuse portends devastating effect health which may likely continue after the addict stopped taking the substance.
He added that: “The campaign against drug abuse is a collective responsibility, parents, teachers and community leaders can serve as role models to the younger generation”.