Yobe Gov,t Clarifies Scope of Joint Task Force Enforcement in Damaturu
By:Usman Ibrahim Geidam
The Yobe State Government wishes to clarify the scope and mandate of the ongoing enforcement exercise being carried out by the Joint Task Force on the Relocation of Street Traders in Damaturu metropolis.
The Special Adviser on Security Matters to the Governor of Yobe State, Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam (Rtd), Ph.D., while addressing members of the Joint Task Force Committee commended them for their professionalism and adherence to lawful procedures during the initial phase of the operation.
The Special Adviser emphasized that the Joint Task Force is, for now, mandated to enforce the relocation directive strictly at Bayan Tasha and its immediate environs only.
He stressed that all enforcement activities in other parts of Damaturu metropolis have been suspended, in line with the directive of the Executive Governor of Yobe State, His Excellency Hon. Mai Mala Buni
Brigadier General Abdulsalam cautioned members of the task force to remain within the confines of the law and their clearly defined mandate, warning that any action outside Bayan Tasha and its environs at this stage is unauthorized. He further directed that all complaints, concerns, or reports regarding the conduct or activities of the Joint Task Force should be formally channeled to the Office of the Special Adviser on Security Matters for prompt review and appropriate action.
He reiterated that the relocation exercise is not punitive, but part of the state government’s broader urban renewal programme aimed at urbanizing Damaturu, enhancing public safety, easing traffic congestion, improving environmental standards, and strengthening security for the collective good of the public.
The Special Adviser noted with satisfaction the level of compliance already recorded, attributing it to sustained sensitization and the provision of the Ibrahim Geidam Ultra Modern Market, which offers a secure, organized, and conducive environment for lawful commercial activities.
He further explained that roadside and street trading pose serious security, environmental, and traffic risks, and the government remains committed to addressing these challenges in a humane and orderly manner.
The enforcement exercise at Bayan Tasha was conducted with the support of a Mobile and Revenue Court so as to ensure due process and lawful handling of defaulters where necessary.
The Joint Task Force comprises representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Correctional Service, Yobe State Road Traffic Maintenance Agency (YOROTA), the Hunters Group, and the Yobe State Environmental Protection Agency (YOSEPA).
The Yobe State Government reassures residents and traders of its commitment to fairness, legality, and public interest, while urging all affected persons to utilize the period provided by the Governor to comply fully with the relocation directive in the interest of a safer, more organized, and modern Damaturu.
0 Comments