By Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe
The Gombe State Government has expressed support for the inclusion of youths serving in voluntary uniformed organisations in future recruitment into the police and other security agencies.
Chief of Staff to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Abubakar Inuwa Kari, stated this while representing the governor at a parade competition organised in Gombe to commemorate the 2026 International Youth Day.
The event was organised by the BREACH Initiative for Leadership Development in partnership with Youths O’Clock Gombe, Advocacy Centre for Development and the state ministries of Internal Security and Home Affairs and Women Affairs.
Kari said security remained a priority for the Inuwa Yahaya administration, particularly in view of the security challenges confronting the state and the country.
He commended security personnel, community groups and voluntary organisations for their contributions to maintaining peace, saying sustainable security could not be achieved without cooperation between government institutions and the people.
According to him, the state government supports the establishment of State Police, noting that the existing security agencies are overstretched, with the military increasingly being deployed to perform duties that could ordinarily be handled by other security agencies.
Kari assured that if the state is authorised to participate in the recruitment of additional police personnel, the process would be transparent, fair, merit-based and professionally conducted.
He stressed that Governor Yahaya would not allow security matters to be politicised, assuring that all security-related activities would be handled responsibly and in the best interest of the people.
The Chief of Staff also said the state would ensure that the proposed State Police works closely with existing security agencies, including the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Earlier, former Director of the National Orientation Agency in Gombe State, Ado Solomon, urged the Inspector-General of Police, Rilwan Disu, through the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Usman Chuso, to give priority to youths who had served in voluntary organisations during recruitment.
Solomon said the volunteers had already acquired discipline, teamwork and basic security skills through their service to society.
He also urged young people to use social media responsibly, warning them to verify information before sharing or reacting to online content.
Chairman of the occasion, Ibrahim Yusuf, commended the organisers and the Nigerian Army for supporting the parade.
He also appealed to the government to prioritise volunteers in future recruitment, saying they had sacrificed their time and resources to complement the work of security agencies.
Twenty-seven voluntary uniformed organisations participated in the march-past competition.
The Boys Brigade emerged winner with 87.67 points, while the Royal Ambassadors came second with 87 points. JIBWIS Jos secured third position with 85.33 points.
The event highlighted the role of youth volunteerism, discipline and community participation in strengthening peace and security in Gombe State.
