…expresses commitment to the success of OPSC
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has assured the Armed Forces that his administration will continue to partner with Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) to ensure the successful implementation of the de-radicalisation programme for repentant Boko Haram members.
The governor, represented by the Secretary to the Government of Gombe State, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, gave this assurance when he received a delegation of senior military officers from the Defence Headquarters who were in the State on an administrative assessment of OPSC on Tuesday.
Yahaya noted that the siting of Operation Safe Corridor at the State’s NYSC Orientation Camp in Malam Sidi left the government with no choice but to embark on the construction of another orientation camp in Boltongo District.
He recalled the initial skepticism that greeted the decision but said the government had since taken steps to reinforce the State’s security architecture.
Yahaya disclosed that the State Government has so far spent over ₦5 billion on the construction of the new NYSC Orientation Camp—an amount almost three times the ₦1.4 billion given to the State by the Federal Government as compensation for taking over the old camp.
The governor further explained that through a clearly mapped-out strategy and constant engagement with security agencies, the initial fears expressed by citizens, particularly the host community of Malam Sidi, have been largely allayed.
Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the delegation, Rear Admiral Suleiman Haruna Abdullahi, said the team was in the State to conduct an administrative assessment of military formations, including Operation Safe Corridor.
He explained that the team had already interfaced with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and members of the host community in order to gain a better understanding of the issues under review.
Abdullahi informed the State Government that the delegation would also seek in-depth knowledge and analysis of challenges facing institutions under their administrative assessment.
He thanked the Gombe State Government for the warm reception and assured that their findings would be transmitted to the Defence Headquarters to help strengthen good governance and effective operations.
• Joshua Danmalam, Information Officer SGS’ office Gombe.
