Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has summoned an emergency security meeting to review emerging threats to peace and public safety across the state, including reported criminal activities, illicit drug consumption and unprovoked attacks.

Kefas raised the concerns on Friday during the emergency meeting in Jalingo, where heads of security agencies and other relevant stakeholders gathered to assess the security situation and discuss possible responses.

The governor warned that rising criminal activities and drug abuse could have serious consequences for public safety and stability if they are not addressed promptly. He also urged security agencies to pay closer attention to reports of attacks and other emerging threats across Taraba.

Kefas particularly highlighted security concerns associated with mining activities in the state, stressing that maintaining peace requires cooperation between government institutions, security agencies, traditional authorities and communities.

He called on the heads of security formations in Taraba to remain professional, committed and transparent in carrying out their responsibilities. He also stressed the importance of intelligence sharing and closer coordination between agencies so that potential threats can be identified and addressed early.

According to the governor, the protection of lives and property must remain a central responsibility of both government and security institutions.

Kefas also acknowledged the role of the military in maintaining security in the state and expressed appreciation for the personnel involved in peace and security operations.

The meeting subsequently moved into a closed-door session where participants reviewed the security challenges facing the state and considered measures for addressing them. A separate report said the Taraba State Commissioner of Police, CP Edwin Ogbegbagha, later briefed journalists on some of the resolutions reached by the security council.

The emergency meeting comes against the backdrop of several security-related concerns in Taraba in recent months.

In June, the state government ordered the suspension of mining activities across Taraba, citing security concerns and saying mining would resume under a more regulated and secure framework. The government also announced plans for a task force to oversee the sector.

More recently, Kefas announced plans for a stakeholder meeting involving artisanal miners, host communities, government agencies and technical experts to develop standards for mining activities. The proposed framework includes safety requirements, environmental protection, water protection and measures against child labour.

The governor has also continued to emphasise security and peacebuilding as part of his administration's broader response to challenges in the state. In a September address marking the International Day of Peace, he highlighted measures involving early-warning systems, conflict prevention and cooperation with security agencies.

The latest emergency security meeting therefore brings together several concerns already identified by the state government, particularly crime, drug abuse, communal tensions and the security implications of mining.

Kefas urged all relevant institutions and community stakeholders to sustain cooperation with security agencies, stressing that government efforts alone would not be sufficient without timely information-sharing and community participation.

The governor's administration has also recently warned that individuals who organise violence, sponsor criminal activities or exploit communal differences to create unrest would face the law.

With the security council now reviewing the situation, attention will turn to the implementation of measures agreed at the closed-door meeting and whether stronger inter-agency coordination can help address the emerging threats identified by the state government.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia