Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has said the expertise of the Department of State Services (DSS) in intelligence gathering is indispensable, especially as threats to security can emerge from any corner and at any time.
Mohammed, who spoke at the North-East Zonal Conference of State Directors of Security hosted by the Bauchi Command of the DSS, acknowledged the critical role the DSS is playing in maintaining peace and stability in the country.
The governor who was represented by his deputy, Rt Hon Mohammed Jatau, said considering the numerous challenges of insecurity currently facing the country, there is the need for government at all levels to leverage on the capabilities of the DSS and other security agencies to overcome the obstacles.
He however emphasised the importance of addressing the root causes of insecurity including poverty, unemployment and social discontent and advocated for a robust network of intelligence sharing to address the security challenges through implementation of initiatives that promote economic growth and social cohesion.
According to the governor, the conference would serve as a forum to rub minds and exchange ideas with a view to coming up with strategies to identify and check threats to national security.
The governor therefore urged DSS to harness their knowledge and experiences together and come up with workable solutions to the myriads of security challenges facing the nation. “It is essential that we adopt a proactive approach –one that prioritises early intervention and community engagement,” he said.
He added that the conference reflects the collective commitment of directors of the DSS towards ensuring the safety and security of communities in an increasingly complex and challenging environment.
