Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State says he will not compromise on security because the safety of everybody is his most important priority.
According to him, the challenges he faced when he came to the office were how to deal with assorted security issues in the state.
The governor said he met a state that was practically under the control of gangs and bandits who were already making daring inroads into the state capital, Jalingo, with bold kidnappings of citizens.
Kefas in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Digital Communications), Emmanuel Bello, the governor said Taraba state is now safe for residents and investors alike.
He emphasized that no meaningful development can take place without proper security.
The statement reads in part, “Governor Kefas had no illusion that securing our state was his primary concern and mandate. As a retired soldier of the intelligence corp, he knew this was an area his legacy would be seriously scrutinized. He then told himself and his team that he wanted to change the narratives. When he came in, the state was inundated with all sorts of attacks from bandits. Some of the criminals took over strategic areas of the state on the hills.
“As we speak to you, a serious clearing project has dealt with that decisively.”
Kefas said that the support he got from youth groups, community leaders, and the security agencies has been tremendous.
He said Taraba state is now safer for residents and investors alike, stressing that this was his main focus.
The statement reads further, “Kefas doesn’t want his people to live in fear. The first duty of a Chief Securing Officer of the state is securing lives and properties – a duty he holds very dearly. Today, we are seeing a surge and a boost in the economic activities of the state. The farms are getting safer for our farmers to do their thing. That is because of the work Kefas has put in.
“Residents of the towns and rural areas now move about more freely. Investors’ confidence has surged with increased trips to Taraba to seek opportunities.”
The governor said that there have been challenges during the year in review but that with the support of the people, security is achieving high level success in the state.
The first set of activities Kefas carried out at the start of his administration was various visits to security agencies in Abuja.
He and top political leaders in the state paid courtesy calls to all the military formations at the nation’s headquarters with the aim of deepening relationships.
That effort has paid off well, says the governor.
Back in the state, Governor Kefas has continuously worked with the security agencies with massive support to improve their operations.