MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA — Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Inuwa Yahaya, has said Boko Haram insurgents have been significantly weakened but remain a security threat in northern Nigeria.
Yahaya made the remarks on Saturday during the 13th meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, Borno State, where he identified insecurity as one of the region’s most persistent challenges.
Insurgency Remains A Threat
According to Yahaya, military and security operations have weakened Boko Haram’s capabilities, but attacks continue to occur in some communities.
“Boko Haram has been weakened but not defeated,” he said, adding that banditry and communal clashes were also emerging as serious threats.
The governor said continued violence had made it difficult for thousands of people displaced by insecurity to return safely to their communities.
He stressed that restoring security remained essential to rebuilding affected communities and enabling displaced residents to resume their livelihoods.
Banditry And Communal Clashes
Yahaya said the security situation in northern Nigeria had become more complex, with threats extending beyond the Boko Haram insurgency.
He listed banditry, communal conflicts and cross-border crime among the challenges requiring stronger cooperation between states and security agencies.
The governor argued that individual states could not effectively address some of the region’s problems alone, making regional collaboration necessary.
Development Projects Face Delays
Beyond security, Yahaya expressed concern about the slow implementation of major infrastructure projects expected to support economic development across the North.
He specifically mentioned the Mambilla hydropower project, regional railway connections and broadband expansion.
According to him, faster progress on such projects would improve connectivity, strengthen economic activity and create opportunities for residents across the region.
He also identified inadequate power supply and infrastructure deficits as continuing obstacles to development.
Healthcare And Education Concerns
The Northern governors’ chairman further highlighted challenges in healthcare and education, although he acknowledged that the region had recorded progress in some areas over the past six years.
Yahaya said the scale of the region’s development needs required sustained investment in human capital alongside infrastructure and security.
He linked the concerns to the broader need for regional cooperation and coordinated development planning.
Regional Cooperation
Reflecting on the establishment of the North East Governors’ Forum in Gombe in March 2020, Yahaya said the initiative emerged from the recognition that many challenges facing the region exceeded the capacity of individual states.
“When we first met in Gombe, we did so out of necessity,” he said, noting that insecurity, poor infrastructure, inadequate electricity and the humanitarian crisis required collective action.
He said the forum had nevertheless recorded progress in infrastructure, electricity, economic development, human capital development and security.
Kolmani Oil Project
Yahaya also described oil exploration at the Kolmani field as a major economic opportunity for northern Nigeria.
He said the project should ultimately translate into actual oil production, employment opportunities and increased government revenue.
The governor’s remarks came as northern governors continued discussions on strategies to address insecurity and accelerate development across the region.
While acknowledging improvements in some sectors, Yahaya’s assessment underscored the continuing challenge of restoring lasting security while addressing the economic and humanitarian consequences of years of conflict.
