Yobe State has achieved a major breakthrough in its long battle against terrorism, with peace now fully restored across 14 local government areas that were once strongholds of Boko Haram insurgents and other criminal elements. The state government announced this significant milestone, marking a new era of safety and stability for residents.
From Inaccessible Danger Zones to Secured Communities
The Secretary to the State Government, Baba Malam Wali, revealed the progress while addressing security measures in Damaturu. He highlighted areas like Gujba and Gulani Local Councils, which for years were completely cut off due to extreme insecurity. "Gujba and Gulani Councils were inaccessible and dangerous to commute or carry out any socio-economic activity," Wali stated.
He explained that these councils' locations on the southern edge of the Sambisa Forest and along the volatile 130km Damaturu–Biu Road made them prime targets during the peak of the insurgency. Thanks to combined efforts from the military, federal agencies, and the state government over the past six years, peace has returned to these and other communities, including Buni-Yadi, Goniri, and Katarko.
Massive Investment in Security Infrastructure
The Yobe State Government, under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni, has backed the military push with substantial investments to strengthen security operations. Wali detailed a comprehensive support package that includes:
- The distribution of 250 patrol and specialised vehicles to boost the operational capacity of security agencies, particularly in border communities with the Niger Republic and areas near the forest.
- The donation of 500 motorcycles, electric transformers to Army barracks, and the installation of long-range surveillance cameras at strategic locations to monitor insurgent movements.
- The allocation of vast parcels of land to security agencies like the Army, DSS, FRSC, NDLEA, and the Correctional Service for building their state headquarters.
Ongoing state interventions also feature the provision of houses and communication gadgets to security personnel, alongside consistent monthly logistics support in cash and kind to the military, police, and DSS.
Sustaining the Peace: Vigilantes and Vehicle Refits
To ensure the hard-won peace is lasting, the government has implemented further measures. Over 2,000 vigilantes, hunters, and hybrid force elements have been formally engaged to complement conventional security forces. Furthermore, the state has rehabilitated and retrofitted more than 300 operational vehicles to keep security patrols effective.
The result of these efforts is tangible. Wali noted that for the first time since July 2009—when the Boko Haram insurgency began in the North-East—residents can confidently travel at night to distant councils like Machina and Yusufari without fear of attack or kidnapping.
This improved security landscape represents a pivotal chapter in Yobe's journey. The state government is now urging all residents to pursue their legitimate businesses and daily lives across the state without fear of intimidation or violence, ushering in a period of hoped-for prolonged stability and economic recovery.
