By Yusuf Salihu Sansani, Jalingo
The Taraba State Government has unveiled a raft of measures to strengthen the state’s security architecture following an enlarged security meeting chaired by Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas in Jalingo.
The meeting brought together members of the State Security Council, heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, local government chairmen, religious and community leaders, members of the State Security Advisory Committee and other critical stakeholders to review the prevailing security situation and adopt strategies for addressing emerging threats.
After receiving security briefings, participants acknowledged the progress recorded in enhancing security operations, inter-agency collaboration and community engagement.
However, they identified land and boundary disputes, illegal mining, kidnapping, criminal activities within forest reserves, porous borders and the movement of unidentified persons as major security concerns requiring urgent attention.
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, held at the TY Danjuma House, Jalingo, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Gebon Timothy Kataps, outlined far-reaching resolutions aimed at improving security coordination across the state.
Among the key resolutions was the immediate establishment of functional early warning and rapid response mechanisms at the local government, ward and community levels.
The government also directed the comprehensive profiling and documentation of recognised traditional institutions, community associations, religious bodies, professional groups, youth and women organisations to strengthen communication, accountability and security coordination.
The communiqué further directed each of the state’s local government areas to identify and map land and boundary disputes, mining locations, forests, grazing routes, criminal corridors, border crossings and other vulnerable areas to support intelligence gathering and proactive security planning.
To curb recurring communal conflicts, the government resolved that all land and boundary disputes should be documented and subjected to early mediation before escalating into violence.
It also announced stricter regulation of mining activities through enhanced verification, documentation and security monitoring, while illegal mining and the unlawful transportation of solid minerals will be decisively tackled through the establishment of a mobile task force.
As part of broader reforms, Governor Kefas is expected to sign Executive Order No. 6 of 2026 on the protection of host communities against insecurity and exploitation, mineral processing, value addition, environmental protection and the sustainable management of natural resources. The order is expected to take effect shortly.
The meeting also resolved to strengthen security along the state’s international boundary with Cameroon and inter-state routes through increased patrols, intelligence sharing and closer collaboration with border communities.
Traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders were recognised as critical partners in peacebuilding, early warning and conflict prevention, while all vigilante groups, forest guards and community security outfits were directed to operate strictly within the law and under the supervision of statutory security agencies.
Participants also agreed to intensify joint security operations and intelligence sharing to safeguard schools, markets, places of worship, mining communities and other vulnerable public facilities across the state.
The security meeting warned against ethnic profiling, hate speech, false accusations and inflammatory statements capable of undermining peace, stressing that all security reports must be properly verified before official action is taken.
Local government councils and relevant agencies were directed to submit preliminary security profiles and risk assessment maps within timelines to be approved by the State Security Council.
The meeting reaffirmed the Taraba State Government’s commitment to protecting lives and property, vowing to sustain decisive action against kidnapping, banditry, illegal mining, land grabbing, arms trafficking and other criminal activities threatening the peace and stability of the state.
Participants commended security agencies, traditional institutions and residents for their continued cooperation and sacrifices, while urging citizens to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
